U.S. patent application number 12/637941 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for main controller, control method and management system of online game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Ltd.. Invention is credited to Min Yan, Quan Zou.
Application Number | 20100113145 12/637941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38880624 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100113145 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yan; Min ; et al. |
May 6, 2010 |
MAIN CONTROLLER, CONTROL METHOD AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ONLINE
GAME
Abstract
A main controller, control method and management system of
online game are provided. The main controller includes: a directory
serving unit, adapted to obtain all game directory information and
notify the game directory information to a user, and to obtain the
user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information; and a
game managing unit, adapted to establish and maintain a game
service corresponding to the selected game directory information
according to the selection instruction.
Inventors: |
Yan; Min; (Shenzhen, CN)
; Zou; Quan; (Shenzhen, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, 6300 SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Assignee: |
Tencent Technology (Shenzhen)
Company Ltd.
Shenzhen
CN
|
Family ID: |
38880624 |
Appl. No.: |
12/637941 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/CN2008/070549 |
Mar 20, 2008 |
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12637941 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 ;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/14 20130101;
A63F 13/77 20140902; A63F 13/352 20140902; A63F 13/71 20140902;
A63F 13/12 20130101; H04L 67/38 20130101; H04L 67/141 20130101;
H04L 67/28 20130101; A63F 2300/5526 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/29 ;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2007 |
CN |
200710111339.9 |
Claims
1. A main controller of online game, comprising: a directory
serving unit, adapted to obtain all game directory information and
notify the game directory information to a user, and to obtain the
user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information; and a
game managing unit, adapted to establish and maintain a game
service corresponding to the selected game directory information
according to the selection instruction.
2. The main controller according to claim 1, further comprising: a
logon unit, adapted to prompt the user to log on the main
controller, to send logon information inputted by the user to an
authentication server for authentication, and to notify the
directory serving unit to establish and maintain a session to a
directory server if the authentication is passed successfully,
wherein all the game directory information is obtained through the
session.
3. The main controller according to claim 2, further comprising: a
version controlling unit, adapted to compare information of a game
version of a specific game unit of a game client with the
information of the corresponding game version contained in the game
directory information; and to carry out at least one of following:
prompting the user to upgrade the specific game unit, upgrading the
specific game unit mandatorily, and waiting for the user to upgrade
the specific game unit manually if the game version of the specific
game unit is lower than the corresponding game version contained in
the game directory information.
4. The main controller according to claim 3, wherein the game
managing unit is adapted to establish and maintain a session
between the game managing unit and a game server corresponding to
the game service, so as to implement establishing and maintaining
the game service; and the main controller further comprises: a
multiplexing unit, adapted to carry out at least one of following:
checking whether multiple game services established and maintained
by the game managing unit have the same processing function, and
implementing the processing function in the multiplexing unit if
so; and checking whether at least one session of the sessions
established and maintained by the game managing unit corresponds to
the same game server, and multiplexing the at least one session
that corresponds to the same game server into one session if
so.
5. The main controller according to claim 4, further comprising: a
presentation unit, adapted to display all the game directory
information obtained by the directory serving unit to the user.
6. The main controller according to claim 5, further comprising at
least one of following: a protocol unit, adapted to provide a
protocol platform for the session established by the directory
serving unit and the game managing unit; a storage unit, adapted to
provide a storage service for the session established by the
directory serving unit and the game managing unit; and a resource
unit, adapted to provide a resource object for the session
established by the directory serving unit and the game managing
unit.
7. A management system of online game, comprising: a server-side
system, adapted to store all game directory information, and to
implement a server-side operation of a game service established and
maintained by a game client-side system; and the game client-side
system, adapted to obtain all the game directory information and
notify the game directory information to a user, to establish and
maintain the game service corresponding to the selected game
directory information according to the user's selection instruction
used for selecting at least one game directory information of all
the game directory information, and to implement a client-side
operation of the game service.
8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the
server-side system comprises: a directory server, adapted to store
the game directory information supported by the directory server;
and a game server, adapted to implement the server-side operation
of the game service established and maintained by the game
client-side system.
9. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the game
server comprises: a game implementing unit, adapted to implement
the server-side operation of the game service established and
maintained by the game client-side system, and to register the game
directory information supported by the game implementing unit into
the directory server; and the game server further comprises: a
dividing unit, adapted to assign at least one broadcast domain for
the game service, to set an upper limit for the number of user of
the broadcast domain, and to register information of the broadcast
domain into the directory server as a part of the game directory
information; and a determining unit, adapted to determine, after
the user selects the broadcast domain of the game service, whether
the number of user selecting the broadcast domain reaches the upper
limit having been set, to refuse to let the user join the broadcast
domain if so, and to allow the user to join the broadcast domain
otherwise.
10. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the game
server further comprises: a multi-player interactive game unit,
adapted to provide a multi-player interactive game service.
11. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the game
client-side system comprises: a main controller, adapted to obtain
all the game directory information and notify the game directory
information to the user, to establish and maintain the game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information according
to the user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one
game directory information of all the game directory information;
and a specific game unit, adapted to implement the client-side
operation of the game service.
12. A control method of online game, comprising: obtaining all game
directory information and notifying the game directory information
to a user; and establishing and maintaining a game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information according
to the user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one
game directory information of all the game directory
information.
13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the obtaining
all game directory information and notifying the game directory
information to a user comprises: establishing, by a main
controller, a session to a directory server; obtaining from the
directory server the game directory information supported by a
current game server; notifying the obtained directory information
to the user; and waiting for the user's selection.
14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the
establishing and maintaining a game service corresponding to the
selected game directory information according to the user's
selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information
comprises: inputting the selection instruction by the user,
establishing a session to the game server corresponding to the
selected game service and maintaining the session by the main
controller after detecting the user's selection instruction, so as
to control and manage the game service corresponding to the
selected game directory information.
15. The control method according to claim 14, before the obtaining
all game directory information and notifying the game directory
information to a user, the method further comprises: prompting, by
the main controller, the user to log on, and sending received logon
information to an authentication server for authentication,
proceeding to execute a subsequent operation if the authentication
is passed successfully, and terminating the operation
otherwise.
16. The control method according to claim 15, further comprising:
assigning at least one broadcast domain for the game service in the
game server, setting an upper limit for the number of user of the
broadcast domain, and registering information of the broadcast
domain into the directory server as a part of the game directory
information; and determining, by the game server after the user
selects the broadcast domain of the game service, whether the
number of user selecting the broadcast domain reaches the upper
limit having been set; refusing, by the main controller, to let the
user join the broadcast domain if so; and allowing, by the main
controller, the user to join the broadcast domain otherwise.
17. The control method according to claim 16, further comprising:
sending, by the game server, multi-player interactive game
information to the main controller; notifying, by the main
controller, the received multi-player interactive game information
to the user; calling a corresponding specific game unit after
receiving an instruction of joining the multi-player interactive
game sent from the user, and playing the multi-player interactive
game with another user through the game server.
18. The control method according to claim 17, further comprising:
comparing information of a game version of the specific game unit
of a game client with the information of the corresponding game
version contained in the game directory information; and carrying
out at least one of following: prompting the user to upgrade the
specific game unit, upgrading the specific game unit mandatorily,
and waiting for the user to upgrade the specific game unit manually
if the game version of the specific game unit is lower than the
corresponding game version contained in the game directory
information.
19. The control method according to claim 18, further comprising at
least one of following: checking whether multiple game services
established and maintained by the main controller have the same
processing function, and implementing the processing function in
the main controller if so; and checking whether at least one
session of the sessions established and maintained by the main
controller corresponds to the same game server, and multiplexing
the at least one session that corresponds to the same game server
into one session if so.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT/CN2008/070549
filed Mar. 20, 2008, which claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application No. 200710111339.9 filed Jun. 15, 2007, the contents of
both are incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to computer network
application techniques, and in particular to a main controller,
control method and management system of online game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Along with the continuous development of computer techniques
and the booming of Internet services and applications, more and
more people begin to play online network games for entertainment.
According to the participation of user, currently available online
game systems mainly include types as follows.
[0004] 1. PC (Personal Computer) game. In the game of this type, a
player can only play with a pre-configured game logic on a local
game terminal. Although some PC games may also provide an online
mode, typically it is only the downloading process of the game that
is omitted, so that the user can directly play the online game with
a game server through the Internet, which essentially still lacks
player interaction.
[0005] The deficiency of the PC game lies in that there is no
adequate interaction among the players, various games cannot be
used in a fully consistent manner with each other and there is no
adequate or even no association among different games.
[0006] 2. Large or medium online game. In the game of this type,
each game forms a separate system, where each game client needs to
play the game through the server of the game.
[0007] The deficiency of the above large or medium online game lies
in that, because each game forms a system separately, it is
required for every game to completely implement a game architecture
respectively, which causes that there is no adequate association
among various games. Furthermore, the maintenance cost is increased
if each game forms a system separately.
[0008] As can be seen from the above, the existing online games
almost all operate separately from each other by employing
respective systems of their own. When playing the game, the user
needs to install a game client for each game manually and to
establish a session to each game server respectively. There is no
centralized and automatic game service entry for the user, and
there is no centralized management system for every game
service.
[0009] Therefore, in the prior art, it is impossible to implement a
centralized control and management for various game systems, there
is no adequate association among various games, the operation and
the maintenance are too complex, the game operation reliability is
low, the extensibility of the game is poor, and the maintenance
cost is high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the above, the present invention provides a main
controller of online game, which may implement a centralized
control and management for various kinds of game systems. The
present invention further provides a control method and management
system of online game.
[0011] An embodiment of the present invention provides a main
controller of online game, which includes:
[0012] a directory serving unit, adapted to obtain all game
directory information and notify the game directory information to
a user, and to obtain the user's selection instruction used for
selecting at least one game directory information of all the game
directory information; and
[0013] a game managing unit, adapted to establish and maintain a
game service corresponding to the selected game directory
information according to the selection instruction.
[0014] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a
management system of online game, which includes:
[0015] a server-side system, adapted to store all game directory
information, and to implement a server-side operation of a game
service established and maintained by a game client-side system;
and
[0016] the game client-side system, adapted to obtain all the game
directory information and notify the game directory information to
a user, to establish and maintain the game service corresponding to
the selected game directory information according to the user's
selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information, and to
implement a client-side operation of the game service.
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a
control method of online game, which includes:
[0018] obtaining all game directory information and notifying the
game directory information to a user; and
[0019] establishing and maintaining a game service corresponding to
the selected game directory information according to the user's
selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information.
[0020] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that,
being compared with the prior art, the main controller, control
method and management system of online game provided by the
embodiments of the present invention can obtain all game directory
information and notify the game directory information to the user,
and establish and maintain the game service corresponding to the
selected game directory information according to the user's
selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the game directory information.
Therefore, the embodiments implement a centralized control and
management for various game systems.
[0021] Specifically, the embodiments provide a centralized and
automatic game service entry for the user, thus the user can play
various online games in a relatively consistent manner, and provide
a centralized main controller for every game system, thus the game
system can be managed and controlled easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a main
controller of online game according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of
online game according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the main
controller of online game according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the control method of
online game according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a layered structure of the
main controller of online game according to a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a management
system of online game according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication interface
for a game managing unit and a specific game unit to communicate
with each other according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control method of
online game according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] For better understanding of the objects, technical solutions
and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is
described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the
accompanying drawings and the embodiments. It should be understood
that the specific embodiments described herein are intended merely
to explain, but not to limit, the present invention.
[0031] The main controller, control method and management system of
online game provided by the embodiments of the present invention
can obtain all game directory information and notify the game
directory information to the user, and establish and maintain the
game service corresponding to the selected game directory
information according to the user's selection instruction used for
selecting at least one game directory information of all the game
directory information.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a main
controller of online game according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the main controller includes a
directory serving unit 103 and a game managing unit 104.
[0033] Specifically, the directory serving unit 103 is adapted to
obtain all game directory information and notify the game directory
information to a user, and to obtain the user's selection
instruction used for selecting at least one game directory
information of all the game directory information.
[0034] The game managing unit 104 is adapted to establish and
maintain a game service corresponding to the selected game
directory information according to the selection instruction.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of
online game according to an embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 2, the method includes the following:
[0036] Step 201: Obtain all game directory information and notify
the game directory information to a user.
[0037] Step 202: Establish and maintain a game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information according
to the user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one
game directory information of all the game directory
information.
[0038] Hereinbelow, the main controller, control method and
management system of online game provided by the present invention
are described in detail with reference to the embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the main
controller of online game according to a first embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the main controller mainly
includes a directory serving unit 103 and a game managing unit 104,
and may further include a logon unit 302 and an additional unit and
service 305 and the like.
[0040] The directory serving unit 103 is adapted to establish a
session to a directory server and maintain the session, to obtain
game directory information through the session and notify the game
directory information to a user, and to send the game directory
information selected by the user to the game managing unit 104
according to a user selection signal received. Specifically, the
game directory information mainly includes: description information
of at least one game, and address information of the game server
corresponding to each game. The description information of game
includes an identifier of game, a broadcast domain identifier of
game, multi-player interactive game unit information of game,
version information of game and the like, and may also include
other information of game such as a brief description of game.
[0041] The game managing unit 104 is adapted to establish a session
to a corresponding game server according to the selected game
directory information and maintain the session, and to control and
manage a game service corresponding to the selected game directory
information.
[0042] The logon unit 302 is connected with an external
authentication server (the authentication server is not shown in
the figure). The logon unit is adapted to send authentication
information inputted by the user to the authentication server when
the user logs on the main controller, and the authentication server
authenticates the user according to a stored username of the user
and a corresponding password thereof. The logon unit determines
whether to allow the user to log on according to the authentication
result returned from the authentication server. After the user logs
on the main controller successfully, the directory serving unit 103
executes a corresponding function to obtain the game directory
information from the directory server and notify the game directory
information to the user.
[0043] The additional unit and service 305 may include a version
controlling unit adapted to compare information of a version of a
local game client with the information of the corresponding game
version contained in the directory information, and to control the
version of the local game client (e.g. to upgrade to the latest
game version mandatorily, or to prompt the user of whether to
upgrade, or to wait for the user to upgrade the game version
manually without prompting the user) according to the result of the
comparison.
[0044] The additional unit and service 305 may further include a
multiplexing unit adapted to check whether multiple game services
established and maintained by the game managing unit have the same
processing function, and to implement the processing function in
the multiplexing unit if so; and/or to check whether at least one
session of the sessions established and maintained by the game
managing unit corresponds to the same game server, and to multiplex
the at least one session that corresponds to the same game server
into one session if so.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the control method of
online game according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method includes the
following.
[0046] Step 401: Prompt the user to log on, and send received logon
information to an authentication server for authentication, execute
Step 402 if the authentication is passed successfully, and
terminate the process otherwise.
[0047] Step 402: Obtain all game directory information and notify
the game directory information to the user.
[0048] Step 403: Establish a session to a corresponding game server
according to the user's selection instruction used for selecting at
least one game directory information of all the game directory
information and maintain the session, and control and manage a game
service corresponding to the selected game directory
information.
[0049] Step 404: Compare information of a game version of a local
game client with the information of the corresponding game version
contained in the game directory information, and control the
version of the local game client according to the result of the
comparison, e.g. if the information of the version of the local
game client is lower than the information of the corresponding game
version contained in the game directory information, upgrade to the
latest game version mandatorily, or prompt the user of whether to
upgrade, or do not prompt the user but the user may upgrade the
game version manually.
[0050] Step 405: The main controller multiplexes possible functions
and/or resources.
[0051] Check whether multiple game services managed by the main
controller have a processing function in common, and implement the
processing function in the multiplexing unit if so, and/or check
whether at least one session of the established sessions
corresponds to the same game server, and multiplex the at least one
session that corresponds to the same game server into one
connection if so.
[0052] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, Steps 404 and
405 are not necessarily in a strictly fixed sequence. Here, Step
404 is described first and Step 405 is described thereafter for
better description.
[0053] The main controller and control method of online game
provided by the embodiment can obtain directory information of
various games and notify the directory information to the user,
where the user performs a selection among those games through the
main controller. Once a selection is made, the main controller
establishes a session to the corresponding game server and
maintains the session, thus to control and manage the game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information.
Therefore, the embodiment implements a centralized control and
management for various game systems.
[0054] Specifically, the embodiment provides a centralized and
automatic game service entry for the user, thus the user can play
various online games in a relatively consistent manner, and provide
a centralized main controller for every game system, thus the game
system can be managed and controlled easily. In an extensible
manner, the present invention enhances the association among
various game systems, decreases the complexity of operating and
maintaining the game system, increases the game operation
reliability, improves the extensibility of the game system, and
reduces the maintenance cost.
Second Embodiment
[0055] On the basis of the first embodiment, this embodiment
divides the main controller into layers and further provides a
management system of online game and a method thereof, so as to
implement the centralized control and management for various game
systems by way of management system.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a layered structure of the
main controller of online game according to a second embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the main controller is
composed of three layers as follows.
[0057] A Presentation Layer, which is a man-machine interface
between the main controller and the user. The Presentation Layer
mainly includes a presentation unit 501 adapted to provide a
channel for information interaction between the main controller and
the user. For example, after the directory serving unit 103 obtains
the game directory information from the directory server, the
presentation unit 501 may notify the game directory information to
the user, and the game directory information selected by the user
may be sent to the game managing unit 104 according to the user
selection signal received by the presentation unit 501. For another
example, through the presentation unit 501, the logon unit 302 may
provide a logon interface and the like for the user.
[0058] The Logic Layer, which is mainly adapted to implement a
specific processing logic of the main controller. The Logic Layer
mainly includes: the directory serving unit 103, the game managing
unit 104, the logon unit 302 and the additional unit and service
305 of the first embodiment, etc.
[0059] The Base Layer, which is mainly adapted to implement
information interaction between the main controller and the
directory server as well as between the main controller and the
game server. The Base Layer mainly includes a Protocol Factory, a
Storage Factory and a Resource Factory.
[0060] Specifically, the Protocol Factory is adapted to establish a
protocol platform for the requester of the information interaction
in the session established by the directory serving unit and the
game managing unit, the Storage Factory is adapted to provide a
storage service for the requester of the information interaction,
and the Resource Factory is adapted to provide a resource object
for the requester of the information interaction, so as to
implement the information interaction between the main controller
and the directory server as well as between the main controller and
the game server.
[0061] In order to implement the centralized control and management
for various game systems by way of system and to decrease the
complexity of operating and maintaining the game system, the
embodiment of the present invention further provides a management
system of online game.
[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a management
system of online game according to the second embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the management system of
online game includes: a server-side system and a game client-side
system.
[0063] Specifically, the server-side system is adapted to store all
game directory information, and to implement a server-side
operation of a game service established and maintained by the game
client-side system.
[0064] The game client-side system is adapted to obtain all game
directory information and notify the game directory information to
a user, and to establish and maintain the game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information according
to the user's selection instruction used for selecting at least one
game directory information of all the game directory information,
and to implement a client-side operation of the game service.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 6, the server-side system is composed of a
directory server 601, a game server 602 and another service support
server (e.g. an authentication server, which is not shown in FIG.
6). The game client-side system is composed of a main controller
603 and a specific game unit 604.
[0066] The directory server 601, which is adapted to store the game
directory information supported by the directory server, can
provide and maintain a whole directory information system.
[0067] The game server 602, which includes a game implementing
unit, is adapted to implement the server-side operation of the game
service established and maintained by the game client-side system.
Specifically, after the user selects at least one game directory
information, the game client-side system notifies the game service
corresponding to the selected game directory information that is
established and maintained by the game client-side system to the
game implementing unit of the game server 602, and the game server
602 implements the major server-side processing operation of the
game service through the game implementing unit. Moreover, the game
server 602 is further adapted to register the game and the game
directory information supported by the game server 602 into the
directory server 601 through the game implementing unit. The game
directory information mainly includes: description information of
at least one game, and address information of the game server 602
corresponding to each game. The description information of game
includes an identifier of game, a broadcast domain identifier of
game, multi-player interactive game unit information of game,
version information of game and the like, and may also include
other information of game such as a brief description of game.
[0068] The main controller 603, which is located at the game client
side, is adapted to obtain the game directory information from the
directory server 601 and notify the game directory information to
the user, and to establish and maintain the session between the
game server 602 corresponding to the selected game and the main
controller 603 according to the user's selection instruction used
for selecting directory information, thus to control and manage the
game service corresponding to the selected game directory
information.
[0069] Here, those skilled in the art shall understand that the
main controller may be implemented according to any of the
structures provided by the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0070] The specific game unit 604 may include a plurality of
specific game units, e.g. specific game unit 1 to specific game
unit n. The specific game unit 604 is located at the game client
side, and is adapted to implement the specific processing logic of
the game service at the client side and to perform game information
interaction with the game server 602 through the session
established between the main controller 603 and the game server
602. There may be more or less game servers 602 and there may be
more or less specific game units 604 at the game client side
according to the user's requirements, but the user uses and manages
various games in a centralized way only through the main
controller.
[0071] In the above management system, the main controller 603 can
establish and manage a session to the directory server 601, so as
to provide a directory service, and can also establish and manage a
session to the game server 602, so as to provide a standardized
service interface for the specific game unit 604, thus the specific
game unit 604 indirectly establishes a session to the game server
602 through the main controller 603.
[0072] There may be one directory server 601, or alternatively
there may be a group composed of one or more directory servers 601.
For the main controller 603, any two directory servers in the group
of directory server are of the same structure as each other, i.e.
maintain the same game directory information as each other, and
moreover, every directory server provides the same external
interface as each other. The main controller 603 of the game client
side may communicate with any directory server contained in the
group to obtain the game directory information.
[0073] The main controller 603 includes a game managing unit
adapted to establish and maintain the game service corresponding to
the selected game directory information according to the user's
selection instruction used for selecting at least one game
directory information of all the obtained game directory
information.
[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication interface
for a game managing unit and a specific game unit to communicate
with each other according to the second embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the left part is the main
controller, which specifically is a specific game point interface
701 contained in the game managing unit. The right part is a game
interface 702 contained in the specific game unit.
[0075] Specifically, the specific game point interface 701 is
adapted to provide a channel for the game managing unit to send a
management message to the specific game unit.
[0076] The game interface 702 is adapted to provide a channel for
the specific game unit to feed back information to the game
managing unit.
[0077] Both of the interfaces are standardized interfaces, i.e. the
specific game point interface 701 contained in the game managing
unit is standardized for all specific game units, and similarly,
the game interface 702 contained in all specific game units is
standardized for the game managing unit. The contents of the
interface message transmitted in one of the two interfaces may be
different from those of another, while the format of the interface
message is in common. Specifically, the interface message mainly
includes: the interface message for transmitting control
information, the interface message for transmitting game
information, the interface message for transmitting chatting
information, and the interface message for transmitting address
information, where the location of the opposite-party interface can
be found according to the address information.
[0078] The specific game point instance is a specific game instance
established according to the user's selection instruction. For
example, when the user selects a game, the main controller 603
establishes a specific game point instance and correspondingly
starts a specific game unit. The specific game unit is also a
specific game instance. The specific game point instance and the
specific game instance communicate with each other respectively
through the interface 701 and the interface 702.
[0079] By standardizing the communication interface, a specific
game unit, as well as a third-party game unit, can be added easily.
Specific processes may include: 1) implement a specific
standardized game interface; 2) use the service provided by the
main controller 603 when implementing the game interface; and 3)
register the implementation of the game server 602 part of the new
game into the directory server, and add the entry of the
newly-added game into the content.
[0080] The game server 602 may run all kinds of game systems
supported by the system. Besides the processing function of a
traditional online game system, the game server 602 may also
forward direct information of all the users of the game so as to
support a multi-party game. Specifically, the management system
shown in FIG. 6 may have a plurality of game servers 602, where
each game server 602 may run a plurality of game systems and each
game system may have a plurality of instances.
[0081] Specifically, the game server 602 may further include the
following.
[0082] A dividing unit, adapted to assign at least one broadcast
domain for a specific game service, to set an upper limit for the
number of user of the broadcast domain, and to register information
of the assigned broadcast domain into the directory server as a
part of the game directory information. By way of dividing, the
users may be sorted, so that the user can perform navigation and
indexing more easily and clearly in the case of a huge number of
users. Essentially, the broadcast domain which acts as the divided
part may further be extended and nested.
[0083] A determining unit, adapted to determine, after the user
selects the broadcast domain of the game, whether the number of
user selecting the broadcast domain reaches the upper limit. If so,
the game server 602 restricts the current session and refuses to
let the user join the broadcast domain. Otherwise, the game server
602 allows establishing the corresponding session and allows the
user to join the broadcast domain.
[0084] In a specific game application, it may be assumed that the
broadcast domain is a game room. Each game room has a predetermined
capacity, i.e. has an upper limit for the number of user.
Information about the game room may be registered into the
directory server as directory information. After the main
controller 603 obtains the directory information and displays the
directory information to the user, what is presented to the user is
the directory information of all the registered games. A piece of
specific game directory information may further include information
of the assigned game room, e.g. the number of game rooms, the room
number of each game room. When the user selects a game room, the
main controller 603 establishes a session between the game room and
the game server 602, and game information interaction with the game
server 602 is performed through the session.
[0085] Each broadcast domain may be regarded as a user subset. The
users may be separated into each subset by assigning the broadcast
domain, and a certain number of users may form a relative broadcast
domain through the modeling of the game room. Firstly, a broadcast
storm may be avoided in the case of a huge number of users, and the
consumption of system and network may be reduced, i.e. an
architecture for supporting a huge number of users is provided.
Further, because each game room may contain a certain number of
users simultaneously, the user may select a game partner on his/her
own decision, thus the system is quite different from the
single-player game.
[0086] The present invention may further classify and sort the
assigned broadcast domain, so that the user can perform navigation
and indexing more easily and clearly in the case of a huge number
of users.
[0087] In order to implement a multi-player online interactive
game, the game server 602 may further include at least one
multi-player interactive game unit adapted to provide a
multi-player interactive game service. Here, "multi-player" means
that there is at least one player. The multi-player interactive
game unit exchanges multi-player interactive game information with
the specific game unit of the game client side through the session
between the main controller 603 of the game client side and the
game server 602.
[0088] For example, for an online chess or poker game, a
multi-player interactive game unit may be configured as a game
table, where each game table may include multiple seats. After the
session is established between the game client side and the game
server 602, the information (which includes e.g. game table
information and seat information) of the multi-player interactive
game unit is transmitted to the main controller 603 of the game
client side. The main controller 603 displays the game table
information and the seat information to the user for the user to
make a selection. After the user sends out an instruction of
joining the multi-player interactive game, e.g. the user clicks the
icon of a seat (the corresponding action on the screen may be
sitting down at the clicked seat), the main controller 603 starts
the specific game unit corresponding to the table when detecting
the instruction. Then the user may interact with the game unit, and
the game unit may further interact with the game server 602 through
the session, thus the local user may play the game with other
user(s).
[0089] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control method of
online game according to the second embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes the
following.
[0090] Step 801: The user starts the main controller of the game
client side.
[0091] Step 802: The main controller prompts the user to input
logon information and sends the received logon information to the
authentication server for authentication.
[0092] Step 803: Determine whether the authentication is passed
successfully according to the authentication result from the
authentication server, execute Step 804 if the authentication is
passed successfully, and terminate the process otherwise.
[0093] The above Steps 802 and 803 are optional. The present
invention may also directly execute Step 804 after Step 801.
[0094] Step 804: The main controller establishes a session to the
directory server, obtains the game directory information supported
by the current system from the directory server, notifies the
obtained directory information to the user (e.g. displays the
directory information via a display), and waits for the user to
make a selection.
[0095] Of course, before controlling the online game, the game
server needs to register the game and the game directory
information supported by the game server into the directory server,
so that the main controller can obtain the directory information
from the directory server successfully and notify the directory
information to the user.
[0096] The game directory information mainly includes: description
information of at least one game, and address information of the
game server corresponding to each game. The description information
of game includes an identifier of game, a broadcast domain
identifier of game (e.g. game room information), multi-player
interactive game unit information of game (e.g. game table
information and seat information), version information of game and
the like, and may also include other information of game such as a
brief description of game.
[0097] Step 805: The user inputs a selection instruction, e.g. the
user may select the broadcast domain (e.g. a game room number) of a
certain game from the directory information, and after detecting
the user's selection instruction, the main controller establishes a
session to the game server corresponding to the selected broadcast
domain of the game and maintains the session thus to control and
manage the game service corresponding to the selected game
directory information.
[0098] Step 806: Assign at least one broadcast domain for a
specific game service in the game server, set an upper limit for
the number of user of the broadcast domain, and register the
information of the assigned broadcast domain into the directory
server as a part of the game directory information; after the user
selects the broadcast domain of the game, the game server may
further determine at the game server side whether the number of
user selecting the broadcast domain reaches the upper limit having
been set; if so, the game server restricts the current session, and
the process is terminated; and otherwise, the game server allows
establishing the corresponding session, and Step 807 is executed.
Step 806 is also optional. If no broadcast domain is assigned, Step
806 may be omitted.
[0099] Step 807: The game server interacts with the main controller
through the established session according to the game processing
procedure of the game server, e.g. here the information (such as
the game table information and the seat information) of the
multi-player interactive game in the selected game room may be
transmitted to the main controller.
[0100] Step 808: The main controller notifies the interaction
information (such as the information of the multi-player
interactive game) transmitted from the game server to the user e.g.
by displaying it to the user via a display, for the user to make a
selection, and waits for the user's selection.
[0101] Step 809: After detecting the user's selection instruction,
e.g. the user clicks the seat icon of a game table, the main
controller starts the specific game unit of the client side
corresponding to the game table; and after the game unit is
started, the user may interact with the game unit, and the game
unit may further interact with the game server through the session
established in Step 805, thus the local user may play the game with
other user(s). In this step, the main controller provides a session
to the game server for the started specific game unit through the
session to the game server that is established in Step 805.
[0102] Step 810: Detect whether the user has input a game
termination instruction, and if the game termination instruction is
detected, close the specific game unit and exit from the game
broadcast domain, i.e. exit from the game room and close the
session to the corresponding game server.
[0103] In addition, the control method according to the present
invention may further include an optimization step, e.g. the
session managed by the main controller to the game server may be
optimized. Specifically, the main controller checks whether
multiple game services managed by the main controller have a
processing function in common, and implement the processing
function (which previously is distributed in each specific game
unit) in the multiplexing unit if so, and/or, when the users enters
a plurality of rooms or starts a plurality of specific game units
at one time, the main controller checks whether at least one
session corresponds to the same game server, and can multiplex the
at least one session into one connection if so. The optimization
resulted in the system to consume fewer resources such as port
resources at both the client side and the game server side, thus
increasing the capacity and the throughput of the system.
[0104] As described above, the embodiment of the present invention
provides a highly reliable and extensible main controller, control
method and management system of multi-player and multi-game online
game, which can support a simultaneous online game of a huge number
of users. The main controller according to the embodiment of the
present invention can manage multiple sub-game-systems and provide
a channel service used for connecting the game server for the
sub-game-systems. By using the control of the main controller, the
user can download, start, use or version-update any game service
currently configured in the system. By using those services
provided by the main controller and the game logics implemented in
the game services, the user can obtain the information of the user
himself/herself and that of other player(s), play the game with
other user(s), or watch from the sidelines as other player(s)
is/are playing a game. Based on the system infrastructure according
to the embodiment of the present invention, the game system can
easily add a game that can be supported into the system or update
the game that is currently supported, thus achieving the advantages
of extending and upgrading the system smoothly.
[0105] The embodiment of the present invention provides a brand-new
system infrastructure, where the directory information of various
games is gathered into the directory server for storage, and at the
game client side, the main controller obtains the directory
information of various games and notifies the directory information
to the user. Thus the user may make a selection among various games
through the main controller. Once the selection is made, the main
controller may automatically establish a session to the game
server. The specific game unit of the game client then interacts
with the game server through the session, thus to play the game.
Therefore, the present invention provides a centralized and
automatic game service entry for the user, so that the user can
play diverse online games in a relatively consistent manner. The
present invention provides a centralized management system for
various game systems, thus the game system can be extended easily.
By way of extension, the present invention enhances the association
among various game systems, reduces the complexity of operating and
maintaining the game system, makes game running much more reliable,
improves the extensibility of the game system, and reduces the
maintenance cost.
[0106] In the embodiment of the present invention, a specific game
service is divided into at least one broadcast domain, where each
broadcast domain may be regarded as a subset where each subset has
an upper limit for the number of user, thus the users may be
separated into each broadcast domain, and a certain number of users
may form a relative broadcast domain. Firstly, a broadcast storm
may be avoided in the case of a huge number of users, and the
consumption of system and network may be reduced, i.e. the
technical solution for supporting a huge number of users is
provided for the game system. Further, because each broadcast
domain may contain a certain number of users simultaneously, the
user may select a game partner on his/her own decision, thus the
game system is quite different from the single-player game,
therefore achieving a better interaction.
[0107] The embodiment of the present invention may further classify
and sort the broadcast domain, so that the user can perform
navigation and indexing more easily and clearly in the case of a
huge number of users.
[0108] Because the game server according to the embodiment of the
present invention has a multi-player game interactive unit, a
multi-player online game may be implemented.
[0109] Because the interfaces between the main controller and the
game server as well as between the main controller and the specific
game unit are extensible and standardized, the game system can be
extended easily, and anew game and service application can be added
into the management system. Furthermore, because more game servers
can be registered according to the present invention, the system
can be upgraded smoothly so as to support more users.
[0110] Because a main-controller & subordinate structure is
used internally, the main controller part of the system provides
some common logic services. When a new game or service is added
into the system, the common logic service provided by the main
controller may be used in a multiplexing manner, thus simplifying
the upgrade and extension of the system. In addition, the user may
interact with the newly extended system in a relatively similar
manner, thus may make use of it easily.
[0111] By using the system infrastructure provided by the
embodiment of the present invention, a system-level optimization
can be performed easily. For example, the common processing
function of multiple game services managed by the main controller
can be optimized, where the main controller is used to implement
such processing function that is originally implemented in each
specific game unit. The session to the game server that is managed
by the main controller may also be optimized, where the at least
one session connecting to the same game server is multiplexed. The
optimization resulted in the system to consume fewer resources such
as port resources at both the game client side and the server side,
thus increasing the capacity and the throughput of the system.
[0112] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also
provides a function for managing the version of the game system,
where the game currently configured in the system is downloaded,
started, used and version-updated automatically, so that the user
can make use of it easily.
[0113] Although the device, method and system provided by the
present invention are depicted by taking the online game as an
example in the above embodiments, those skilled in the art shall
understand that the present invention is not limited thereto in
practical applications. The present invention may also be applied
to the management and maintenance process of a local game system,
or even of another service system such as a large-scale software
system.
[0114] The foregoing is merely the preferred embodiments of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the present
invention. Any modifications, equivalents and variations made
within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall fall
into the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *