U.S. patent application number 17/468529 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-30 for initiating multiuser sessions.
The applicant listed for this patent is SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.. Invention is credited to Atsushi Fuse, Daniel Hiatt, Nobukazu Koyama, Benedikt Neuenfeldt, Mischa Stephens, Shogo Suzuki, Steven Trombetta.
Application Number | 20210409459 17/468529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005825894 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210409459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stephens; Mischa ; et
al. |
December 30, 2021 |
INITIATING MULTIUSER SESSIONS
Abstract
A system and method for initiating a multiuser session is
provided. A plurality of multiuser activities and a plurality of
activities templates may be stored in memory. A user profile for a
user and a peer profile for each of one or more peers may be
received. The user and the one or more peers may be members of an
initial session. A user selection specifying one of the filtered
multiuser activities may be received. An activity template
associated with the selected activity may be retrieved. Such
retrieved activity template may provide activity requirements
required to launch the selected activity. A multiuser session may
be established that includes session requirements based on at least
the activity requirements. The user and at least one peer from the
initial session may be added to the multiuser session. The selected
activity may be launched in the multiuser session.
Inventors: |
Stephens; Mischa; (San
Mateo, US) ; Trombetta; Steven; (San Mateo, US)
; Hiatt; Daniel; (San Mateo, US) ; Neuenfeldt;
Benedikt; (Tokyo, JP) ; Fuse; Atsushi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Koyama; Nobukazu; (Tokyo, JP) ; Suzuki;
Shogo; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005825894 |
Appl. No.: |
17/468529 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16554375 |
Aug 28, 2019 |
11115442 |
|
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17468529 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/306 20130101;
H04L 65/403 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101; H04L 65/1069
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method for maintaining a multiuser session, the method
comprising: storing an activity template in memory, the activity
template including one or more activity requirements of a multiuser
activity associated with a portion of an interactive content title;
receiving user profiles associated with user devices that have
joined a lead session initiated by a platform server, each of the
user profiles including information about interaction with the
multiuser activity, the lead session having one or more session
properties; assigning the user devices to one or more player slots
and one or more spectator slots associated with the multiuser
activity based on the user profiles and the session properties;
launching a multiuser session of the multiuser activity in
accordance with the activity requirements provided by the activity
template of the multiuser activity; and re-establishing the lead
session among the user devices after an end of the multiuser
session, wherein the re-established lead session exhibits the same
session properties.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending invitations to
the user devices associated with the user profiles, the user
devices are initially associated with a social session.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing lead session
history of the lead session, the lead session history including
past activities completed within the lead session and corresponding
data for each past activity; and generating a display of an
interactive interface associated with re-establishing the lead
session based on one or more of the past activities in the stored
lead session history.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accepting one or more
other peer accounts in the lead session during the multiuser
session, wherein the peer accounts are assigned to one or more open
participant or spectator slots.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the lead session persists during
and after the multiuser session ends.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiuser session is launched
for a duration of the multiuser activity when the multiuser
activity is selected and the lead session fails to meet the
activity requirements that include a required number of
participants for the multiuser session as provided by the activity
template.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein launching the multiuser session
includes adding another lead session or one or more individual
peers to the multiuser session until the activity requirements are
met.
8. A system for maintaining a multiuser session, comprising: a
storage configured to store instructions; a processor configured to
execute the instructions and cause the processor to: store an
activity template in memory, the activity template including one or
more activity requirements of a multiuser activity associated with
a portion of an interactive content title; receive user profiles
associated with user devices that have joined a lead session
initiated by a platform server, each of the user profiles including
information about interaction with the multiuser activity, the lead
session having one or more session properties; assign the user
devices to one or more player slots and one or more spectator slots
associated with the multiuser activity based on the user profiles
and the session properties; launch a multiuser session of the
multiuser activity in accordance with the activity requirements
provided by the activity template of the multiuser activity; and
re-establish the lead session among the user devices after an end
of the multiuser session, wherein the re-established lead session
exhibits the same session properties.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
execute the instructions and cause the processor to: send
invitations to the user devices associated with the user profiles,
the user devices are initially associated with a social
session.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
execute the instructions and cause the processor to: store lead
session history of the lead session, the lead session history
including past activities completed within the lead session and
corresponding data for each past activity; and generate a display
of an interactive interface associated with re-establishing the
lead session based on one or more of the past activities in the
stored lead session history.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
execute the instructions and cause the processor to: accept one or
more other peer accounts in the lead session during the multiuser
session, wherein the peer accounts are assigned to one or more open
participant or spectator slots.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the lead session persists during
and after the multiuser session ends.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiuser session is
launched for a duration of the multiuser activity when the
multiuser activity is selected and the lead session fails to meet
the activity requirements that include a required number of
participants for the multiuser session as provided by the activity
template.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein launching the multiuser session
includes adding another lead session or one or more individual
peers to the multiuser session until the activity requirements are
met.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising
instructions, the instructions, when executed by a computing
system, cause the computing system to: store an activity template
in memory, the activity template including one or more activity
requirements of a multiuser activity associated with a portion of
an interactive content title; receive user profiles associated with
user devices that have joined a lead session initiated by a
platform server, each of the user profiles including information
about interaction with the multiuser activity, the lead session
having one or more session properties; assign the user devices to
one or more player slots and one or more spectator slots associated
with the multiuser activity based on the user profiles and the
session properties; launch a multiuser session of the multiuser
activity in accordance with the activity requirements provided by
the activity template of the multiuser activity; and re-establish
the lead session among the user devices after an end of the
multiuser session, wherein the re-established lead session exhibits
the same session properties.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,
wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further
comprises instructions that, when executed by the computing system,
cause the computing system to: send invitations to the user devices
associated with the user profiles, the user devices are initially
associated with a social session.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,
wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further
comprises instructions that, when executed by the computing system,
cause the computing system to: store lead session history of the
lead session, the lead session history including past activities
completed within the lead session and corresponding data for each
past activity; and generate a display of an interactive interface
associated with re-establishing the lead session based on one or
more of the past activities in the stored lead session history.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,
wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further
comprises instructions that, when executed by the computing system,
cause the computing system to: accept one or more other peer
accounts in the lead session during the multiuser session, wherein
the peer accounts are assigned to one or more open participant or
spectator slots.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, the
lead session persists during and after the multiuser session
ends.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, the
multiuser session is launched for a duration of the multiuser
activity when the multiuser activity is selected and the lead
session fails to meet the activity requirements that include a
required number of participants for the multiuser session as
provided by the activity template.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation and claims the
priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/554,375
filed Aug. 28, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present technology pertains to multiuser sessions. More
specifically, the present technology may provide for activity
suggestions for multiuser sessions and initiating multiuser
sessions.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Multiuser gameplay is a popular and ever-growing segment of
gameplay. Multiuser gameplay typically involves users finding a
match to a suitable group of peers. Multiuser gameplay may involve
social interactions between a user and peers (e.g., friends).
Presently available interactions typically occur in a group at a
platform level or in a group (e.g., team) within a game. Where a
specific group may wish to play together in different games or
different sessions, such game group must generally be rebuilt in
each different game, which may include different features and
parameters depending on each game despite some commonalities
between different grouping processes. Further, activities shown to
the group may not take into account group statistics and/or
size.
[0004] Due to the popularity of multiuser games and playing games
with a set group of peers (e.g., friends), significant delays and
inaccurate or no group activity suggestions can have significant
(and negative) impact on user experience. Such group building may,
for example, detract from the user experience when grouping
processes--which may be repetitive to different extents--cause
delay each time the group changes games. Further, such group may
wish to play games that each group member may be able to play
in.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need in the art for systems and
methods for proving activity suggestions for multiuser sessions and
initiating multiuser sessions.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY CLAIMED INVENTION
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention include systems and
methods for initiating a multiuser session is provided. A plurality
of multiuser activities and a plurality of activities templates may
be stored in memory. Each activity template may be associated with
each of the multiuser activities. A user profile for a user and a
peer profile for each of one or more peers may be received. The
user and the one or more peers may be members of an initial
session. The user profile and each of the peer profiles may have
information about the user and each peer with respect to each
multiuser activity. A user selection from a user device associated
with a user may be received. Such user selection may specify one of
the filtered multiuser activities. An activity template associated
with the selected activity may be retrieved. Such retrieved
activity template may provide activity requirements required to
launch the selected activity. A multiuser session may be
established that includes session requirements based on at least
the activity requirements. The user and at least one peer from the
initial session may be added to the multiuser session. The selected
activity may be launched in the multiuser session.
[0007] Various embodiments may include methods for initiating a
multiuser session. Such methods may include storing a plurality of
multiuser activities and a plurality of activity templates. Each
activity template may be associated with each of the multiuser
activities. Such methods may include receiving a user profile for a
user and a peer profile for each of one or more peers. The user
profile and each of the peer profiles may have information about
the user and each peer with respect to each multiuser activity. The
user and the one or more peers may be members of an initial
session. Such methods may include filtering the plurality of
multiuser activities based on the user profile. Such methods may
include receiving a user selection from a user device associate
with the user, the user selection specifying one of the filtered
multiuser activities. Such methods may include retrieving an
activity template associated with the selected activity. The
retrieved activity template may provide activity requirements
required to launch the selected activity. Such methods may include
establishing a multiuser session having session requirements based
on at least the activity requirements provided by the retrieved
activity template. Such methods may include adding the user and at
least one peer from the initial session to the multiuser session.
Such methods may include launching the selected activity in the
multiuser session.
[0008] Additional embodiments may include systems for initiating a
multiuser session. Such systems may include memory that stores a
plurality of multiuser activities and a plurality of activity
templates. Each activity template may be associated with each of
the multiuser activities. Such systems may include a network
interface that establishes a session with a user device associated
with the user over a communication network. Such systems may
include a processor that executes instructions stored in memory.
Execution of the instructions by the processer may receive a user
profile for a user and a peer profile for each of one or more
peers. The user profile and each of the peer profiles may have
information about the user and each peer with respect to each
multiuser activity. The user and the one or more peers may be
members of an initial session. Execution of the instructions by the
processer may filter the plurality of multiuser activities based on
the user profile. Execution of the instructions by the processer
may receive a user selection from the user specifying one of the
filtered multiuser activity. Execution of the instructions by the
processer may retrieve an activity template associated with the
selected activity. The retrieved activity template may provide
activity requirements required to launch the selected activity.
Execution of the instructions by the processer may establish a
multiuser session having session requirements based on at least the
activity requirements provided by the retrieved activity template.
Execution of the instructions by the processer may add the user and
at least one peer from the initial session to the multiuser
session. Execution of the instructions by the processer may launch
the selected activity in the multiuser session.
[0009] Further embodiments include non-transitory computer-readable
storage media having embodied thereon a program executable by a
processor to initiate a multiuser session.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment in which
a system for initiating multiuser sessions may be implemented.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed exemplary network in which a
system for initiating multiuser sessions may be implemented.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for
initiating multiuser sessions.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrates an exemplary invitation and details
of the exemplary invitation, respectively.
[0014] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates an exemplary auto-invitation and
initiation of the auto-invitation, respectively.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exemplary electronic entertainment system that
may be used in initiating multiuser sessions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of various configurations of the subject technology and
is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the
technology can be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated
herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The
detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of
providing a more thorough understanding of the technology. However,
it will be clear and apparent that the technology is not limited to
the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without
these details. In some instances, structures and components are
shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the
concepts of the subject technology.
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention include systems and
methods for initiating a multiuser session. A plurality of
multiuser activities and a plurality of activities templates may be
stored in memory. A user profile for a user and a peer profile for
each of one or more peers may be received. The user and the one or
more peers may be members of an initial session. A user selection
specifying one of the filtered multiuser activities may be
received. An activity template associated with the selected
activity may be retrieved. Such retrieved activity template may
provide activity requirements required to launch the selected
activity. A multiuser session may be established that includes
session requirements based on at least the activity requirements.
The user and at least one peer from the initial session may be
added to the multiuser session. The selected activity may be
launched in the multiuser session.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment 100 in
which a system for establishing and managing multiuser lead
sessions can occur. The network environment 100 may include one or
more interactive content source servers 110 that provide
interactive content (e.g., video games, interactive video, etc.),
platform servers 120, and one or more user devices 140.
[0019] Interactive content source servers 110 may maintain and host
interactive content titles available for play to a user device 140
over a communication network. Such interactive content servers 110
may be implemented in the cloud (e.g., one or more cloud servers).
Each interactive content title may include one or more activities
available within the content title. The one or more activities may
be playable by a single user or by multiple users. Each interactive
content title may include one or more templates corresponding to
one or more activities available within the content title. Each
template may provide a structured data set regarding the
corresponding activities and that may be used as the basis for
tracking and displaying information regarding the corresponding
activities in real-time. Each template may also provide data
regarding establishing a lead session for multiuser interactions
and for participation in multiple interactive contents as a single
lead session. Such lead session may be implemented at the
interactive content source servers 110 and/or the platform servers
120.
[0020] In one example, the interactive content title is a video
game title, and the one or more templates may correspond to
different modes of competitive gameplay available within that game
title. In another example, the one or more templates may correspond
to different chapters of an interactive storyline. Each template
may be associated with a portion of the interactive content title
where the corresponding activity starts within the interactive
content title. For example, the template may include a waypoint
within a portion of a game (e.g., at a specific game environment
location at a specific point in time in the game storyline) where
an activity starts. In another example, the template may virtually
teleport a character of the user to the location within the game
environment that is closest to the start of the associated
activity. The template may also be associated with establishing a
lead session to group users for participation in the associated
activity and to provide group management. Such template associated
with the lead session may further provide activity requirements
(e.g., number of players maximum and/or minimum, skill level and/or
rank, character level and/or rank, user device requirements, etc.)
required to launch the selected activity (e.g., competitive match).
Each template may be updated, edited, or removed, or new templates
may be created. The one or more templates may be stored at the
interactive content source servers 110 or at platform server 120
and retrieved therefrom.
[0021] The platform servers 120 may be responsible for
communicating with the different interactive content source servers
110 in order to establish and manage a lead session or a social
session. Such platform servers 120 may be implemented on one or
more cloud servers. The interactive content source servers 110 may
communicate with multiple platform servers 120. The platform
servers 120 may also carry out instructions, for example, for
storing a plurality of multiuser activities and a plurality of
activity templates. Each activity template may be associated with
each of the multiuser activities. The platform servers 120 may
further carry out instructions, for example, for receiving a user
profile for a user and a peer profile for each of one or more
peers. Such user profile and each of the peer profiles may have
information about the user and each peer with respect to each
multiuser activity. Such user and the one or more peers may be
members of an initial session (e.g., a social session, a multiuser
session, a lead session, or an activity session). The platform
servers 120 may further carry out instructions, for example, for
filtering the plurality of multiuser activities based on the user
profile. The platform servers 120 may further carry out
instructions, for example, receiving a user selection from a user
device associate with the user, the user selection specifying one
of the filtered multiuser activities. The platform servers 120 may
further carry out instructions, for example, for retrieving an
activity template associated with the selected activity. Such
retrieved activity template may provide activity requirements
required to launch the selected activity. The platform servers 120
may further carry out instructions, for example, for establishing a
multiuser session having session requirements based on at least the
activity requirements provided by the retrieved activity template.
The platform servers 120 may further carry out instructions, for
example, for adding the user and at least one peer from the initial
session to the multiuser session. The platform servers 120 may
further carry out instructions, for example, for launching the
selected activity in the multiuser session.
[0022] The interactive content titles and their corresponding
activities may be provided through an application programming
interface (API) 130, which allows various types of interactive
content source servers 110 to communicate with different platform
servers 120 and different user devices 140. API 130 may be specific
to the particular computer programming language, operating system,
protocols, etc., of the interactive content source servers 110
providing the interactive content titles, the platform servers 120
providing the associated templates, and user devices 140 receiving
the same. In a network environment 100 that includes multiple
different types of interactive content source servers 110 (or
platform servers 120 or user devices 140), there may likewise be a
corresponding number of APIs 130.
[0023] The user device 140 may include a plurality of different
types of computing devices. For example, the user device 140 may
include any number of different gaming consoles, mobile devices,
laptops, and desktops. Such user devices 140 may also be configured
to access data from other storage media, such as, but not limited
to memory cards or disk drives as may be appropriate in the case of
downloaded services. Such devices 140 may include standard hardware
computing components such as, but not limited to network and media
interfaces, non-transitory computer-readable storage (memory), and
processors for executing instructions that may be stored in memory.
These user devices 140 may also run using a variety of different
operating systems (e.g., iOS, Android), applications or computing
languages (e.g., C++, JavaScript). An exemplary user device 140 is
described in detail herein with respect to FIG. 6.
[0024] In the exemplary network environment 200 of FIG. 2, an
exemplary social session 202, an exemplary lead session 204, an
exemplary activity session 206, and an exemplary interactive
interface 208 are illustrated. A social session 202 may be
established without an activity selection or without an activity
template. Such social session 202 may be created at the platform
server 120 by a user to group the user and peers (e.g., friends)
together prior to an activity selection and to provide
communication (e.g., voice chat, video chat, text chat, screen
sharing, etc.) to the social session. A user of the social session
202 may receive an invitation to join a peer in an established lead
session 204 to participate in an activity selected by the peer. A
user of the social session 202 may also create a lead session 204
and invite peers to join such lead session 204. Activities that the
social session 202 may qualify for may be displayed on the
interactive interface 208 to each of the user and the peers of the
social session 202 for selection.
[0025] An exemplary lead session 204 may be established on the
interactive content source servers 110 when a user selects an
activity to participate in. Such lead session 204 may include lead
session properties. The lead session properties may be based on at
least the activity properties and/or user preferences (e.g.,
limiting lead session to certain peers setting the lead session to
private and/or by invite only, requiring a skill level to join,
etc.). The lead session 204 may further include a plurality of
participant slots. Such participant slots may be based on the
minimum and/or maximum number of players that can participate in
the selected activity. Each participant slot may be occupied by a
participant (e.g., a user or peer). Such participant may be
required to satisfy the lead session properties to occupy a slot.
For example, the lead session property may require a certain skill
level to join, and the participant may possess such skill level,
thereby allowing the participant to join the lead session and
occupy a participant slot.
[0026] The lead session 204 may further include one or more
spectator slots. Such spectator slots correspond to slots for
viewing the activity during the lead session 204 interaction with
the activity on spectator devices. The spectator slots may be
restriction by some or all of the lead session properties (e.g.,
hardware and/or software requirements) or the spectator slots may
not be restricted. Such spectator slots may not be added or
generated until the selected activity has begun.
[0027] The lead session 204 can further include lead session
history. Such lead session history may be based on past activities
completed by the lead session and may include lead session data
corresponding to each past activity (e.g., achievements and/or
trophies earned by the lead session, activity run time, statistics
related to the performance of the lead session in the activity,
activity results, past leaders, past peers, etc.). Such lead
session history may be displayed on an interactive interface of the
user device 140 as part of a user profile or part of a session
profile. Such lead session history can allow a former leader or
peer to re-establish the session based on the lead session history.
Such re-established lead session can include the same lead session
properties previously established for the past lead session.
[0028] An exemplary activity session 206 may be established on the
interactive content source servers 110 for the duration of a
selected activity if a lead session 204 is lacking the required
number of participants for the selected activity. Such activity
session 206 may join the leader and peers of the lead session 204
to the activity session 206 and also join another lead session 204
or individual peers (e.g., peers not part of a lead session) to the
activity session 206 until the activity requirements for the
selected activity are fulfilled. For example, an activity may
require twelve participants and a first lead session and a second
lead session having six participants may be joined in an activity
session. 206 After the selected activity is completed, the activity
session 206 ends.
[0029] The leader and peers may remain in the lead session 204,
while participating in the activity session 206. In other words,
the lead session 204 remains intact during participation by the
leader and the peers in the selected activity and the leader and
the peers are simultaneous members of the lead session 204 and the
activity session 206. As such, the lead session 204 persists during
and after the selected activity ends. Further, if the lead session
204 has open participant slots or open spectator slots, other peers
may join the lead session 204 during an active activity. For
example, while the leader and the current peers are participating
in an activity, another peer can join the lead session 204 and can
spectate or wait until the leader and the current peers complete
the activity. In the same example, the other peer can join the
activity if one of the leader or the current peers leaves the
activity. Alternatively, the leader and the current peers may be
added to the activity session 206, and a placeholder may be
established in the lead session 204 for each leader and peer until
the activity is completed.
[0030] From either an established lead session 204 and/or an
activity session, a user can join an established social session 202
or create a social session 202. Further, session data related to
activity session may be stored at the platform servers 120 and/or
displayed at a social session 202 and/or on an interactive
interface 208.
[0031] An interactive interface 208 can be established by the
platform servers 120 and can be displayed on the user devices 140.
Such interactive interface 208 may display available activities,
user and/or peer data (e.g., current profile, past history, etc.),
or available lead sessions 204 to join. Such interactive interface
208 may also allow a user to create a social session 202, join an
established social session 202, create a lead session 204 and
invite peers, or join an existing lead session 204.
[0032] The interactive interface 208 may also be displayed on a
mobile device. Such interactive interface 208 may receive an
invitation to a user of the mobile device to join an activity and
maybe display corresponding mobile actions of attending or not
attending. Selection of attending may trigger the mobile device to
send instructions to a console associated with the mobile device to
send a message to sender of the invitation and/or members of the
session associated with the activity. Such message may indicate
that the user will join the session when the user is online and may
include an estimated time of the user's arrival. The mobile device
may send further instructions to the console to display and/or
update the estimated time that the user may join the session. The
mobile device may also send instructions to the console to add the
user to the session, such that when the user comes online the user
will be able to immediately interact with the session and/or the
activity. Selection of not attending may trigger the mobile device
to send instructions to the console to send a different message to
sender of the invitation and/or members of the session associated
with the activity. Such different message may indicate that the
user will not join the session. Selection of not attending may
occur when the initial invitation is received or after the user has
already selected attending. In other words, the user may change the
user's selection from attending to not attending.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 300
for providing activity suggestions to an initial session (e.g. a
social session, a lead session, or an activity session) and
initiating multiuser sessions. The method 300 of FIG. 3 may be
embodied as executable instructions in a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium including but not limited to a CD, DVD, or
non-volatile memory such as a hard drive. The instructions of the
storage medium may be executed by a processor (or processors) to
cause various hardware components of a computing device hosting or
otherwise accessing the storage medium to effectuate the method.
The execution of the instructions may be implemented on the cloud
servers (e.g., the steps identified in FIG. 3 are performed in the
cloud). The steps identified in FIG. 3 (and the order thereof) are
exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or
derivations thereof including but not limited to the order of
execution of the same.
[0034] In step 310, a plurality of multiuser activities and a
plurality of activity templates are stored by the platform servers
120 or the interactive content source servers 130. Each activity
template may be associated with each of the multiuser
activities.
[0035] In step 320 a user profile for a user and a peer profile for
each of one or more peers may be received by the platform servers
120 or the interactive content source servers 130. The user and
each of the one or more peers may be members of an initial session
(e.g., a social session, a multiuser session, a lead session, or an
activity session). Such user profile and each of the peer profiles
may have information about the user and each peer with respect to
each multiuser activity. For example, the user profile and each
peer profile may include whether the user and each peer has access
to each multiuser activity, a skill level and/or experience level
of the user and each peer, and/or whether the user and each peer
have downloaded each multiuser activity.
[0036] In step 330, the plurality of multiuser activities is
filtered by the platform servers 120 or the interactive content
source servers 130 based on the user profile. Such user profile may
include user data (e.g., user skills, character levels and/or
skills, hours played, type of games played, etc.), data regarding
an associated user device (e.g., hardware components and
capabilities, software, router information, geolocation etc.),
and/or user device peripherals (e.g., microphone, camera, mouse,
controller, devices, etc.). For example, the plurality of multiuser
activities may be filtered based on whether the user has access to
certain activities, the user history, and/or available playtime of
the user. In the same example, the plurality of multiuser
activities may be filtered for a peer based on the peer profile and
as such, the filtered multiuser activities is different for each of
the peer and the user.
[0037] Filtering the plurality of multiuser activities may be
further based on the peer profile and/or a group profile. Each of
the peer profiles, group profile, and/or user profile may be stored
in memory. Such peer profile may include peer data (e.g., peer
skills, character levels and/or skills, hours played, type of games
played, etc.), data regarding an associated peer device (e.g.,
hardware components and capabilities, software, router information,
geolocation etc.), and/or peer device peripherals (e.g.,
microphone, camera, mouse, controller, devices, etc.). Such group
profile may include activities played by the group, play time for
each activity, number of members, average skill level and/or
experience level of the group for each activity, whether each
member has access to and/or has downloaded each activity, whether
the user and each peer satisfies activity requirements associated
with each activity, and/or total play time of the group. For
example, the plurality of multiuser activities may be filtered
based on number of members within a group and whether each member
(i.e., the user and each peer) has access to an activity.
[0038] In step 340, a user selection is received from a user device
associated with the user by the platform servers 120 or the
interactive content source servers 110. Such user selection may
specify a multiuser activity (e.g., a dungeon, multi-user quest,
competitive match, etc.) associated with an interactive content
title. Such user selection may be based on voting or polling by the
one or more peers. Such user selection may be received when the
user is in any session (e.g., a social session, a multiuser
session, a lead session, or an activity session).
[0039] In step 350, an activity template associated with the
selected activity is retrieved by the platform servers 120 or the
interactive content source servers 110. Such activity template may
include activity requirements required to launch the selected
activity. Such activity requirements may regard hardware, software,
user, and/or peer requirements in addition to maximum and/or
minimum numbers of users required to begin the activity.
[0040] In step 360, a multiuser session (e.g., a lead session 204
and/or an activity session 206) may be established by the platform
servers 120 or the interactive content source servers 110. The
multiuser session may have session requirements that are based on
at least the activity requirements provided by the retrieved
activity template. For example, the activity requirements--and
subsequently the session requirements--may require four users each
using a certain user device (e.g., Sony PlayStation.RTM.). For
example, a session requirement may require that peer characters
either match or exceed a user character's level. In another
example, the session requirement may require that a user device be
capable of performing host duties, which may be indicated by the
user profile as to user device capabilities.
[0041] In step 370, the user and at least one peer from the initial
session (e.g., a social session, a multiuser session, a lead
session, or an activity session) may be added to the multiuser
session by the platform servers 120 or the interactive content
source servers 110. Adding the user device and at least one peer
device to the multiuser session may include inviting each peer to
the multiuser session and adding each peer when the peer accepts
the invitation. Each of the user device and the at least one peer
device may be added if each device currently has access to the
selected activity (e.g., owns, demos, has a pass, or the like).
[0042] A notification including an invitation may be sent to each
of the user and each peer. The notification may include an action
button (e.g., buy, join, spectate, or demo) based on the user
status or each of the peer status. For example, if the user status
indicates that the user has access to the activity, a join action
button may be displayed to the user. Selection of the join action
button will add the user to the multiuser session. In another
example, if the user status and/or peer status indicates that the
user does not have access to the activity, a buy, spectate, or demo
action button may be displayed to the user or peer. Selection of
the buy action button may provide an option to purchase the
activity by the user or peer; the spectate action button may add
the user or peer to a spectator slot of the multiuser session; and
the demo action button may provide a demo for the user or peer to
play and may add the user or peer to the multiuser session. The
user or the peer may then be added to the multiuser session when
the user or the peer gains access to the activity (e.g., purchases
or demos the activity).
[0043] In one exemplary example, shown in FIG. 4A-B, an invitation
402 is displayed within a gaming screen 400. The invitation 402 may
be displayed at any time, such as when the user is in an activity,
a group chat, a social session, a lead session, or an activity
session. The invitation 402 may initially include a title of the
activity and a sender of the invitation 402 and may further display
an activity type 406, current members of an existing session 408,
and a join or details button 412. Selection of the join button 412
will add the user to the existing session 408 and selection of the
details button 412 will display further details concerning the
activity.
[0044] The user and each peer of the initial session may further be
automatically added to the multiuser session by an auto-invitation,
shown in FIG. 5A-B. An auto-invitation 502 may be displayed on a
gaming screen 500. The auto-invitation 502 may be displayed at any
time, such as when the user is in an activity, a group chat, a
social session, a lead session, or an activity session. The
auto-invitation 502 may indicate that the activity is starting and
may add the user to the multiuser session of the activity if the
user does not opt out of the auto-invitation 502. In this example,
the user may opt out by selection of the auto-invitation 502,
though the user may opt out in other ways (e.g., voice selection,
texting an opt out text, etc.). Selection of the auto-invitation
502 will then open an invitation 506 that may include action
buttons, such as a join or details button 506. Selection of the
join button 506 will add the user to the existing session and
selection of the details button 506 will display further details
concerning the activity.
[0045] In step 350, the selected activity may be launched in the
multiuser session by the platform servers 120 or the interactive
content source servers 110. The multiuser session can provide
further communication between the users (e.g., voice chat, direct
messaging, text chat, screen sharing, video chat, etc.) during
interaction with the activity. After the interaction with the
selected activity has ended or been completed, the existing
multiuser session can persist after leaving the activity. In other
words, the participants of the multiuser session can remain
together even after the selected activity has ended.
[0046] Multiuser sessions and activity suggestions provided to such
multiuser sessions described allow a group of user and peers to
interact with each other and to enter multiuser activities together
without losing members or having to recreate the group. Further,
such groups can be maintained when one or more peers may not have
access to a selected activity by granting temporary access or
removing such peers, thereby allowing the group of user and peers
to maintain interaction with each other through multiple activities
and periods between activities.
[0047] FIG. 6 is an exemplary user electronic entertainment system
that may be used in launching interactive content and providing
dynamic interfaces. The entertainment system 600 of FIG. 6 includes
a main memory 605, a central processing unit (CPU) 610, vector unit
615, a graphics processing unit 620, an input/output (I/O)
processor 625, an I/O processor memory 630, a peripheral interface
635, a memory card 640, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface 645,
and a communication network interface 650. The entertainment system
600 further includes an operating system read-only memory (OS ROM)
655, a sound processing unit 660, an optical disc control unit 670,
and a hard disc drive 665, which are connected via a bus 675 to the
I/O processor 625.
[0048] Entertainment system 600 may be an electronic game console.
Alternatively, the entertainment system 600 may be implemented as a
general-purpose computer, a set-top box, a hand-held game device, a
tablet computing device, a virtual reality device, an augmented
reality device, or a mobile computing device or phone.
Entertainment systems may contain more or less operating components
depending on a particular form factor, purpose, or design.
[0049] The CPU 610, the vector unit 615, the graphics processing
unit 620, and the I/O processor 625 of FIG. 6 communicate via a
system bus 685. Further, the CPU 610 of FIG. 6 communicates with
the main memory 605 via a dedicated bus 680, while the vector unit
615 and the graphics processing unit 620 may communicate through a
dedicated bus 690. The CPU 610 of FIG. 6 executes programs stored
in the OS ROM 655 and the main memory 605. The main memory 605 of
FIG. 6 may contain pre-stored programs and programs transferred
through the I/O Processor 625 from a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other
optical disc (not shown) using the optical disc control unit 670.
I/O Processor 625 of FIG. 6 may also allow for the introduction of
content transferred over a wireless or other communications network
(e.g., 4G, LTE, 1G, and so forth). The I/O processor 625 of FIG. 6
primarily controls data exchanges between the various devices of
the entertainment system 600 including the CPU 610, the vector unit
615, the graphics processing unit 620, and the peripheral interface
635.
[0050] The graphics processing unit 620 of FIG. 6 executes graphics
instructions received from the CPU 610 and the vector unit 615 to
produce images for display on a display device (not shown). For
example, the vector unit 615 of FIG. 6 may transform objects from
three-dimensional coordinates to two-dimensional coordinates, and
send the two-dimensional coordinates to the graphics processing
unit 620. Furthermore, the sound processing unit 660 executes
instructions to produce sound signals that are outputted to an
audio device such as speakers (not shown). Other devices may be
connected to the entertainment system 600 via the USB interface
645, and the communication network interface 650 such as wireless
transceivers, which may also be embedded in the system 600 or as a
part of some other component such as a processor.
[0051] A user of the entertainment system 600 of FIG. 6 provides
instructions via the peripheral interface 635 to the CPU 610, which
allows for use of a variety of different available peripheral
devices (e.g., controllers) known in the art. For example, the user
may instruct the CPU 610 to store certain game information on the
memory card 640 or other non-transitory computer-readable storage
media or instruct a character in a game to perform some specified
action.
[0052] The present invention may be implemented in an application
that may be operable by a variety of end user devices. For example,
an end user device may be a personal computer, a home entertainment
system (e.g., Sony PlayStation2.RTM. or Sony PlayStation3.RTM. or
Sony PlayStation4.RTM.), a portable gaming device (e.g., Sony
PSP.RTM. or Sony Vita.RTM.), or a home entertainment system of a
different albeit inferior manufacturer. The present methodologies
described herein are fully intended to be operable on a variety of
devices. The present invention may also be implemented with
cross-title neutrality wherein an embodiment of the present system
may be utilized across a variety of titles from various
publishers.
[0053] The present invention may be implemented in an application
that may be operable using a variety of devices. Non-transitory
computer-readable storage media refer to any medium or media that
participate in providing instructions to a central processing unit
(CPU) for execution. Such media can take many forms, including, but
not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media such as optical or
magnetic disks and dynamic memory, respectively. Common forms of
non-transitory computer-readable media include, for example, a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other
magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other
optical medium, RAM, PROM, EPROM, a FLASHEPROM, and any other
memory chip or cartridge.
[0054] Various forms of transmission media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU
for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a
CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions
received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk
either before or after execution by a CPU. Various forms of storage
may likewise be implemented as well as the necessary network
interfaces and network topologies to implement the same.
[0055] The foregoing detailed description of the technology has
been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the
precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments
were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the
technology, its practical application, and to enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the technology be
defined by the claim.
* * * * *