Various embodiments generally relate to communication methods, computer-readable media, communication devices, and servers.
Gamers may get stuck during game play and may be forced to pause game play in order to research on how to proceed. Thus, there may be a need to facilitate game play for gamers.
According to various embodiments, a communication method may be provided. The communication method may include: generating a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and transmitting the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, a communication method may be provided. The communication method may include: receiving a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; storing the hint on a server; and providing the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer (wherein it will be understood that a computer may be any device configured to execute instructions, for example a personal computer (PC), a console, a mobile radio communication device, or a table device) perform a communication method. The communication method may include: generating a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and transmitting the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a communication method. The communication method may include: receiving a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; storing the hint on a server; and providing the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, a communication device may be provided. The communication device may include: a hint generation circuit configured to generate a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and a transmitter configured to transmit the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, a server may be provided. The server may include: a receiver configured to receive a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; a storage configured to store the hint; and a transmitter configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The dimensions of the various features or elements may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
In this context, the communication device as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the communication device. In this context, the server as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the server. A memory used in the embodiments may be a volatile memory, for example a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a non-volatile memory, for example a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a flash memory, e.g., a floating gate memory, a charge trapping memory, an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) or a PCRAM (Phase Change Random Access Memory).
In an embodiment, a “circuit” may be understood as any kind of a logic implementing entity, which may be special purpose circuitry or a processor executing software stored in a memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in an embodiment, a “circuit” may be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit such as a programmable processor, e.g. a microprocessor (e.g. a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). A “circuit” may also be a processor executing software, e.g. any kind of computer program, e.g. a computer program using a virtual machine code such as e.g. Java. Any other kind of implementation of the respective functions which will be described in more detail below may also be understood as a “circuit” in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
In the specification the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia (or any other country).
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, particular embodiments will now be described by way of examples and not limitations, and with reference to the figures.
Various embodiments are provided for devices, and various embodiments are provided for methods. It will be understood that basic properties of the devices also hold for the methods and vice versa. Therefore, for sake of brevity, duplicate description of such properties may be omitted.
It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific device may also hold for any device described herein. It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific method may also hold for any method described herein. Furthermore, it will be understood that for any device or method described herein, not necessarily all the components or steps described must be enclosed in the device or method, but only some (but not all) components or steps may be enclosed.
The term “coupled” (or “connected”) herein may be understood as electrically coupled or as mechanically coupled, for example attached or fixed, or just in contact without any fixation, and it will be understood that both direct coupling or indirect coupling (in other words: coupling without direct contact) may be provided.
In other words, a user may provide a hint for an electronic game he is playing to a server, which in turn may provide the hint to other gamers.
According to various embodiments, the hint may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the hint may be generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
According to various embodiments, the communication method may further include transmitting a vote for the further hint.
According to various embodiments, the hints may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the communication method may further include storing a plurality of hints for a same situation on the server.
According to various embodiments, the communication method may further include receiving a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
According to various embodiments, a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints may be provided to the gamers.
According to various embodiments, the hint may be provided as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a communication method. The communication method may include: generating a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game (for example a computer game or a console game); and transmitting the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, the hint may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the hint may be generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform transmitting a vote for the further hint.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a communication method. The communication method may include: receiving a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game (for example a computer game or a console game); storing the hint on a server; and providing the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
According to various embodiments, the hints may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing a plurality of hints for a same situation on the server.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: receiving a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
According to various embodiments, a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints may be provided to the gamers.
According to various embodiments, the hint may be provided as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
According to various embodiments, the hint may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the hint may be generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
According to various embodiments, the transmitter 118 may further be configured to transmit a vote for the further hint.
According to various embodiments, the hints may include or may be included in at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
According to various embodiments, the storage 126 may further be configured to store a plurality of hints for a same situation.
According to various embodiments, the receiver 124 may further be configured to receive a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
According to various embodiments, the transmitter 128 may be configured to provide a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints to the gamers.
According to various embodiments, the transmitter 128 is configured to provide the hint as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
After consuming help content (for example like described with reference to
If a gamer learns new ways to destroy enemy, he may contribute to the gaming community.
The gamer community may vote for new techniques of overcoming a challenge. When new gamers discover this content being stuck at similar point in gameplay, they may receive this new content as in-game overlay, depending on how many up-votes it has received.
If now another gamer B plays the same video game on his console with his companion app paired and in-sync with console gameplay, and gamer B has similar unsuccessful attempts in destroying enemy vehicle, gamer B may see the same visual hint (as seen by gamer A) notifying user that help is available. The second user may seek help through hints. Like will be described below with reference to
Various embodiments may enable users/gamers to create their own content. Unlike conventional companion app content, where content is pushed uni-directionally (from studios/game publishers to gamers), the companion app according to various embodiments may provide a bi-directional content flow, where gamers may be able to create their own content and share on Razer's platform for consumption by other gamers.
Various embodiments may provide gamer generated content, and share it with gamers real-time within games, for example as in-game overlay. This content may be likely to change when context remains same, depending on feedback from the gamer community.
According to various embodiments, customized content may be provided which may show up in-game, for example as an overlay, or on a separate mobile communication device (for example a tablet) using a companion app.
With various embodiments, gamers may create content (such as hints, tips, suggestions and other textual content) pertaining to a game or challenge within a game. This content may also be image or video based.
Various embodiments may be considered as a Wikipedia for games, where gamers create their own content, which may be provided as an in-game overlay.
Various embodiments may allow gamers to use their mobile devices for creating content that will then show up in-game as an overlay.
According to various embodiments, a server may be provided which may act as a messenger to share most popular help tips, match making, recommendations and other features.
In various embodiments, users may create their own content, which may be shared via a companion platform on the base platform (for example on the console).
According to various embodiments, content created by gamers may be displayed “in-game” as a game overlay via an SDK.
According to various embodiments, a companion platform as a content creation platform may be provided. When companion platform creates content, it may be pushed to an experience server, from where it may be pushed to game consoles, thereby being consumed by other gamers either on their console or their companion devices.
According to various embodiments, content may be generated by gamers, and shared across the platform for consumption by other gamers.
Various embodiments may provide a platform for gamers to create their own content which may be shared, consumed and edited by gaming community. This content will be embedded in-game as an overlay by using an SDK.
According to various embodiments, companion devices may interact with consoles. According to various embodiments, content may be created, enhanced and shared with the community.
According to various embodiments, a data providing method may be provided. The data providing method may include: determining a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; determining an answer to the hypothetical question; and providing the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
According to various embodiments, a data providing system may be provided. The data providing system may include: a question determination circuit configured to determine a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; an answer determination circuit configured to determine an answer to the hypothetical question; and a pre-emptive monitor circuit configured to provide the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a data providing method. The data providing method may include: determining a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; determining an answer to the hypothetical question; and providing the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
In this context, the data providing system (which may for example be a data providing device) as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the data providing system. A memory used in the embodiments may be a volatile memory, for example a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a non-volatile memory, for example a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a flash memory, e.g., a floating gate memory, a charge trapping memory, an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) or a PCRAM (Phase Change Random Access Memory).
Gamers may get stuck during game play and may be forced to pause game play in order to research on how to proceed. According to various embodiments, devices and methods may be provided to facilitate game play for gamers. According to various embodiments, a real-time game coach or mentor that provides oral answers to oral questions posed by the gamer may be provided and may help the gamer to avoid situations like these.
According to various embodiments, an AI (artificial intelligence) game mentor (which may be referred to as virtual game coach) may be provided.
According to various embodiments, a real-time game coach/mentor may provide game advice via audio during game play. The real-time game coach may provide answers to oral questions posed by the gamer during game play.
In other words, according to various embodiments, an answer to a question that a user might have will be provided.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include: storing history information of at least one further database; and determining the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include: storing application information about the application program used by the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the application information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include: storing profile information of the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include: storing real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program; and determining the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include providing the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include: receiving a question from the user; determining an answer to the receive question; and providing the answer to the user.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include receiving the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
According to various embodiments, the data providing method may further include providing the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the application program may include or may be or may be included in a computer game.
According to various embodiments, a historical database 720 (which may correspond to the historical database 802 like described in more detail below) may be configured to store history information of at least one further database. The question determination circuit 710 may be configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
According to various embodiments, the application information database (for example the game info database 804 like described in more detail below) may be configured to store application information about the application program used by the user. The question determination circuit 710 may be configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the application information.
According to various embodiments, a user profile memory 724 may be configured to store profile information (for example the player profile 806 like described in more detail below) of the user. The question determination circuit 710 may be configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
According to various embodiments, the real-time data memory 726 (for example the real-time data provide 808 like described in more detail below) may be configured to store real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program. The question determination circuit 710 may be configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
According to various embodiments, the pre-emptive monitor circuit 714 maybe is configured to provide the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the question input circuit 728 may be configured to receive a question from the user. The answer determination circuit 712 may be configured to determine an answer to the receive question. The answer providing circuit 730 may be configured to provide the answer to the user.
According to various embodiments, the question input circuit 728 may be configured to receive the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
According to various embodiments, the answer providing circuit 730 may be configured to provide the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the application program may include or may be or may be included in a computer game.
According to various embodiments, a computer-readable medium may be provided. The computer-readable medium may include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a data providing method. The data providing method may include: determining a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; determining an answer to the hypothetical question; and providing the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing history information of at least one further database; and determining the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing application information about the application program used by the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the application information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing profile information of the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program; and determining the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform providing the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: receiving a question from the user; determining an answer to the receive question; and providing the answer to the user.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform receiving the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
According to various embodiments, the computer-readable medium may further include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform providing the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
According to various embodiments, the application program may include or may be or may be included in a computer game.
According to various embodiments, the system according to various embodiments may be designed to be cyclic so that the system can learn and improve itself.
This may include basic information like the type of game, the characters/hero/classes in that game and this may extend deep into the game such strategy and guides of each character/class. According to various embodiments, the game info database 804 may be populated by various methods:
Further input to the game info database 804 may be videos 1102, forums 1108, social networks 1110, or game guides 1112.
The player profile 806 may be constructed from various sources:
Getting real-time information directly from the game 1302 may be not trivial and according to various embodiments, there may be provided various ways to do it:
This live data may be provided to other modules according to various embodiments for their analyses.
The historical database 802 may furthermore collect and store information on past queries and answers given to a particular user and how that user responded and performed under those replies or hints.
A basic user interface may be pure text queries and replies, but the interface may be extensible to allow other forms interactions with the user, such as:
The list above are exemplary interfaces, and further interactions may be provided, such as;
Such intelligence may be accessed by another machine or even another artificial intelligence through an API.
It is to be noted that depending on the interfaces that a user would like to interact with, there may be additional technologies provided such as:
Both the input and output may support multiple inputs/outputs at the same time. The input may be aggregated at an input aggregator 1502, which may be programmable using an API 1504. The input may then be provided to the question and answer machine 810. The outputs may be composited by an output compositor 1528, which may be programmable using an API 1530.
The question an answer engine 810 may combine multiple inputs into a single input and may deliver outputs across multiple medium and be able to deliver a coherent message instead of simply duplicating the message.
Further inputs may include depression of a button 1520, input by movement detection 1524, biosensors 1526, or touch sensors 1506. Further output may include heat 1542.
According to various embodiments, a constant monitor (for example a pre-emptive monitor 812), which may provide constant monitoring, may be provided. This component may continuously analyze the state of the game and the state of the player so that it can pre-emptively provide assistance to the player. The pre-emptive monitor 812 may directly access the information of the real-time data 808 provider to figure out what the user needs pre-emptively. The pre-emptive monitor 812 may format this as a query that would be sent to the question and answer module 810 and may retrieve the answer. The pre-emptive monitor 812 may present the result through the interfaces preferred by the user and delivered in a way consistent with direct question and answers which are initiated by the user.
The system according to various embodiments may be cyclic: It may record and examine its past answers and responses from the user so that the system may continuously learn and improve.
In the following, a use case example of a system and method according to various embodiments will be described. A user may start a League of Legends game while the system according to various embodiments may be running in the background. Once the user starts the game, the system according to various embodiments may continue to monitor and notice that the user had accumulated so much gold. The system according to various embodiments may show an overlay in game with the recommended item to buy, but the user may not be familiar with it. The user may hover his mouse cursor over the recommended item but even though it looks interesting, the user may not fully understand how this would affect his current game play. The user may verbally tell the system according to various embodiments to show more information about that item, and the system according to various embodiments may open up an overlay window to show the details of that item. The user may like that recommendation and may verbally tell the system according to various embodiments to remind him to buy that item when the user is back to his base. The system according to various embodiments may verbally confirm that it understood and may hide the item purchase recommendation. The system according to various embodiments may continue to monitor and when the user is back at this base, the system according to various embodiments may verbally remind the user that he should make the purchase, and may visually overlay the recommended item again. The user may purchase the item and the system according to various embodiments may hide its recommendation again.
According to various embodiments, constant monitoring may be provided.
According to various embodiments, advice may be offered which is relevant to the user's current situation.
According to various embodiments, a mechanism may be provided for a user to converse and get more information.
According to various embodiments, various inputs and outputs may be combined in this system.
According to various embodiments, game play may be smoother because a player may make better decisions with the game coach according to various embodiments.
The following examples pertain to further embodiments.
Example A1 is a data providing method comprising: determining a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; determining an answer to the hypothetical question; and providing the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
In example A2, the subject-matter of example A1 can optionally include: storing history information of at least one further database; and determining the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
In example A3, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A2 can optionally include: storing application information about the application program used by the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the application information.
In example A4, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A3 can optionally include: storing profile information of the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
In example A5, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A4 can optionally include: storing real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program; and determining the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
In example A6, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A5 can optionally include: providing the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A7, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A6 can optionally include: receiving a question from the user; determining an answer to the receive question; and providing the answer to the user.
In example A8, the subject-matter of example A7 can optionally include receiving the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
In example A9, the subject-matter of any one of examples A7 to A8 can optionally include providing the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A10, the subject-matter of any one of examples A1 to A9 can optionally include that the application program comprises a computer game.
Example A11 is a data providing system comprising: a question determination circuit configured to determine a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; an answer determination circuit configured to determine an answer to the hypothetical question; and a pre-emptive monitor circuit configured to provide the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
In example A12, the subject-matter of example A11 can optionally include: a historical database configured to store history information of at least one further database; wherein the question determination circuit configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
In example A13, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A12 can optionally include: an application information database configured to store application information about the application program used by the user; wherein the question determination circuit configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the application information.
In example A14, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A13 can optionally include: a user profile memory configured to store profile information of the user; wherein the question determination circuit configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
In example A15, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A14 can optionally include: a real-time data memory configured to store real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program; wherein the question determination circuit configured to determine the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
In example A16, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A15 can optionally include that the pre-emptive monitor circuit is configured to provide the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A17, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A16 can optionally include: a question input circuit configured to receive a question from the user, wherein the answer determination circuit is configured to determine an answer to the receive question; and an answer providing circuit configured to provide the answer to the user.
In example A18, the subject-matter of example A17 can optionally include that the question input circuit is configured to receive the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
In example A19, the subject-matter of any one of examples A17 to A18 can optionally include that the answer providing circuit is configured to provide the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A20, the subject-matter of any one of examples A11 to A19 can optionally include that the application program comprises a computer game.
Example A21 is a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a data providing method, the data providing method comprising: determining a hypothetical question of a user using an application program; determining an answer to the hypothetical question; and providing the answer in the form of a hint to the user.
In example A22, the subject-matter of example A21 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing history information of at least one further database; and determining the hypothetical question based on the historical information.
In example A23, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A22 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing application information about the application program used by the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the application information.
In example A24, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A23 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing profile information of the user; and determining the hypothetical question based on the profile information.
In example A25, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A24 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing real-time information of at least one of the application program used by the user or of a system used by the user for executing the application program; and determining the hypothetical question based on the real-time information.
In example A26, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A25 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: providing the hint to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A27, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A26 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: receiving a question from the user; determining an answer to the receive question; and providing the answer to the user.
In example A28, the subject-matter of example A27 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: receiving the question from the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, gestures information, button depression information, neural information, movement information, biosensor information, touch information, smell information, or taste information.
In example A29, the subject-matter of any one of examples A27 to A28 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: providing the answer to the user using at least one of audio information, visual information, text information, vibration information, pressure information, and heat information.
In example A30, the subject-matter of any one of examples A21 to A29 can optionally include that the application program comprises a computer game.
Example B1 is a communication method comprising: generating a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and transmitting the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B2, the subject-matter of example B1 can optionally include that the hint comprises at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B3, the subject-matter of any one of examples B1 to B2 can optionally include that the hint is generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
In example B4, the subject-matter of example B3 can optionally include transmitting a vote for the further hint.
Example B5 is a communication method comprising: receiving a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; storing the hint on a server; and providing the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B6, the subject-matter of example B5 can optionally include that the hints comprise at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B7, the subject-matter of any one of examples B5 to B6 can optionally include storing a plurality of hints for a same situation on the server.
In example B8, the subject-matter of example B7 can optionally include receiving a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
In example B9, the subject-matter of example B8 can optionally include that a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints is provided to the gamers.
In example B10, the subject-matter of any one of examples B5 to B9 can optionally include that the hint is provided as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
Example B11 is a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a communication method, the communication method comprising: generating a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and transmitting the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B12, the subject-matter of example B11 can optionally include that the hint comprises at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B13, the subject-matter of any one of examples B11 to B12 can optionally include that the hint is generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
In example B14, the subject-matter of example B13 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: transmitting a vote for the further hint.
Example B15 is a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform a communication method, the communication method comprising: receiving a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; storing the hint on a server; and providing the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B16, the subject-matter of example B15 can optionally include that the hints comprise at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B17, the subject-matter of any one of examples B15 to B16 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: storing a plurality of hints for a same situation on the server.
In example B18, the subject-matter of example B17 can optionally include instructions which, when executed by a computer, make the computer perform: receiving a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
In example B19, the subject-matter of example B18 can optionally include that a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints is provided to the gamers.
In example B20, the subject-matter of any one of examples B15 to B19 can optionally include that the hint is provided as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
Example B21 is a communication device comprising: a hint generation circuit configured to generate a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; and a transmitter configured to transmit the hint to a server configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B22, the subject-matter of examples B21 can optionally include that the hint comprises at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B23, the subject-matter of any one of examples B21 to B22 can optionally include that the hint is generated on a companion device configured to display a further hint.
In example B24, the subject-matter of example B23 can optionally include that the transmitter is further configured to transmit a vote for the further hint.
Example B25 is a server comprising: a receiver configured to receive a hint on solving a situation in an electronic game; a storage configured to store the hint; and a transmitter configured to provide the hint to gamers playing the electronic game.
In example B26, the subject-matter of example B25 can optionally include that the hints comprise at least one of textual information, audio information, or video information.
In example B27, the subject-matter of any one of examples B25 to B26 can optionally include that the storage is further configured to store a plurality of hints for a same situation.
In example B28, the subject-matter of example B27 can optionally include that the receiver is further configured to receive a vote for at least one hint of the plurality of hints.
In example B29, the subject-matter of example B28 can optionally include that the transmitter is configured to provide a hint of the plurality of hints with a highest number of votes among the plurality of hints to the gamers.
In example B30, the subject-matter of any one of examples B25 to B29 can optionally include that the transmitter is configured to provide the hint as at least one of an overlay to the electronic game or as a notification in a companion app.
In a further example, any one or more of examples A1 to A30 and/or B1 to B30 may be combined.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/SG2016/050302 | 6/29/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2018/004453 | 1/4/2018 | WO | A |
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