Patent Application
20160291989
An application such as a video game is executed on hardware, to include at a minimum, a processor, a graphics processor, and a display. Performance of the application (e.g., speed) is dependent on the settings applied to the hardware configuration used for executing the application. In some cases, the hardware configuration settings of a gaming platform are not optimized for a given application. For instance, the settings may result in poor execution of the application, wherein visual effects are sacrificed or eliminated. This may occur when the settings are not taking full advantage of the capabilities of the hardware configuration, or when the settings are overly ambitious for the given hardware configuration. In either case, the image quality of the executed application suffers.
The hardware configuration settings may be tailored to an application. For example, an application may include an optimization routine that automatically sets the hardware configuration to default settings when the user first invokes the application. However, one of the weaknesses of these in-game optimization routines is that the settings are fairly conservative, since the default settings are generally targeted to a broad range of user platforms. As such, these default settings are not wholly optimized to a particular user's gaming platform. In that case, when the user first executes the application using the default settings, that user may be underwhelmed with his or her gaming experience when playing that application. That user may be so underwhelmed so as to prompt a return of the application.
Further, the user may also customize the settings to the hardware configuration for a particular application. However, many times, this option is not exercised for a myriad of reasons. For example, the user may just want to try out the application on a trial basis without going through the manual, customization process. In that case, the user relies on the possibly underperforming default settings provided by the application. As another example, the user may not know enough about how the settings affect the performance of the gaming application, and as such will unknowingly select unoptimized settings for a given hardware platform. Again, the user's gaming experience will suffer when executing the application for the first time, such as experiencing low image quality or low frame rates.
In embodiments of the present invention, a computer implemented method for optimizing configuration settings is disclosed. In other embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium is disclosed having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform a method for optimizing configuration settings. In still other embodiments, a computer system is disclosed comprising a processor and memory coupled to the processor and having stored therein instructions that, if executed by the computer system, cause the computer system to execute a method for optimizing configuration settings. The method includes detecting a newly discovered gaming application on a computing device. The method includes receiving an instruction to optimize the newly discovered gaming application. The method includes determining a hardware configuration for the computing device. The method includes accessing pre-defined optimal settings based on the gaming application and the hardware configuration. The method includes writing the pre-defined optimal settings into a game settings file associated with the gaming application.
In another embodiment, a system for optimizing configuration settings. The system includes a gaming application detector configured for detecting a newly discovered gaming application on a computing device. The system includes a resource discovery module configured for determining a hardware configuration for the computing device. The system includes an optimizer configured for receiving an instruction to optimize the newly discovered gaming application, for accessing pre-defined optimal settings based on the gaming application and the hardware configuration, and for writing the pre-defined optimal settings into a game settings file associated with the gaming application.
These and other objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present disclosure will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the embodiments that are illustrated in the various drawing figures.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.
Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In the present application, a procedure, logic block, process, or the like, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those utilizing physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as transactions, bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, samples, pixels, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present disclosure, discussions utilizing terms such as “accessing,” “receiving,” “detecting,” “determining,” “writing,” “scanning,” or the like, refer to actions and processes (e.g., in flowcharts 5 and 6A-B of the present Application) of a computer system or similar electronic computing device or processor (e.g., computer system 100 and client device 200). The computer system or similar electronic computing device manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
FIGS.5 and 6A-B are flowcharts of examples of computer-implemented methods for applying optimized settings to a game settings file that is associated with a gaming application as executed on a computing device, according to embodiments of the present invention. Although specific steps are disclosed in the flowcharts, such steps are exemplary. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well-suited to performing various other steps or variations of the steps recited in the flowcharts.
Other embodiments described herein may be discussed in the general context of computer-executable instructions residing on some form of computer-readable storage medium, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media may comprise non-transitory computer storage media and communication media. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.
Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can accessed to retrieve that information.
Communication media can embody computer-executable instructions, data structures, and program modules, and includes any information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above can also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
It is appreciated that computer system 100 described herein illustrates an exemplary configuration of an operational platform upon which embodiments may be implemented to advantage. Nevertheless, other computer system with differing configurations can also be used in place of computer system 100 within the scope of the present invention. That is, computer system 100 can include elements other than those described in conjunction with
In the example of
The communication or network interface 125 allows the computer system 100 to communicate with other computer systems via an electronic communications network, including wired and/or wireless communication and including the Internet. The optional display device 150 may be any device capable of displaying visual information in response to a signal from the computer system 100. The components of the computer system 100, including the CPU 105, memory 110, data storage 115, user input devices 120, communication interface 125, and the display device 150, may be coupled via one or more data buses 160.
In the embodiment of
Graphics memory may include a display memory 140 (e.g., a frame buffer) used for storing pixel data for each pixel of an output image. In another embodiment, the display memory 140 and/or additional memory 145 may be part of the memory 110 and may be shared with the CPU 105. Alternatively, the display memory 140 and/or additional memory 145 can be one or more separate memories provided for the exclusive use of the graphics system 130.
In another embodiment, graphics processing system 130 includes one or more additional physical GPUs 155, similar to the GPU 135. Each additional GPU 155 may be adapted to operate in parallel with the GPU 135. Each additional GPU 155 generates pixel data for output images from rendering commands. Each additional physical GPU 155 can be configured as multiple virtual GPUs that may be used in parallel (concurrently) by a number of applications executing in parallel. Each additional GPU 155 can operate in conjunction with the GPU 135 to simultaneously generate pixel data for different portions of an output image, or to simultaneously generate pixel data for different output images.
Each additional GPU 155 can be located on the same circuit board as the GPU 135, sharing a connection with the GPU 135 to the data bus 160, or each additional GPU 155 can be located on another circuit board separately coupled with the data bus 160. Each additional GPU 155 can also be integrated into the same module or chip package as the GPU 135. Each additional GPU 155 can have additional memory, similar to the display memory 140 and additional memory 145, or can share the memories 140 and 145 with the GPU 135.
The communication interface 225 allows the client device 200 to communicate with other computer systems (e.g., the computer system 100 of
Relative to the computer system 100, the client device 200 in the example of
In addition, the computer system 100 includes an optimizing management module 400 that is configured for applying optimized settings to a game settings file that is associated with a gaming application as executed on local and/or remote computing resources, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The optimizing management module 400 is described in more detail in relation to
Throughout this Application, the term “gaming application” is used for illustration only, and embodiments of the present invention can be applied to any type of application. In one embodiment, an application is a video game application; however, the invention is not so limited. That is, the application can be any type of application. For example, the application may provide financial services, computer aided design (CAD) services, etc.
The optimization support server 340 is configured to provide current settings for various hardware and/or software configurations (e.g., in-game graphic settings) that are optimized for a particular gaming application. For example, settings include anti-aliasing, ambient occlusion, anisotropic filtering, bullet decals, depth of field, frame rate, resolution, texture quality, etc. These settings are determined through extensive testing of the gaming application as executed under various hardware and/or software configurations. For instance, the testing may include automated testing, as well as manual testing by human testers. As such, for a given gaming application and a particular hardware and/or software configuration platform, optimized settings are determined and stored at the optimization support server 340. In addition, the optimization support server 340 is configured to deliver a particular grouping of optimized settings to a particular gaming platform, to include hardware and/or software configurations, through the network 350. Network 350 generally represents any telecommunication or computer network including, for example, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), or the Internet. In that manner, no matter what the hardware and/or software configuration platform that a user has for executing the gaming application, an optimal group of configuration settings is available at the optimization support server 340.
In one embodiment, the computing resource is configured as an end terminal and/or gaming device 310B used for displaying video in combination with a GRID system 330 that provides computing and graphics processing at a back-end server. In particular, the GRID system 330 provides cloud based virtualized computing and graphics processing for remote displays. For example, the GRID system 330 may include a number of virtual computing processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) that in combination support one or more gaming applications. In one case, the end terminal and/or gaming device 310B is coupled to a virtual CPU and GPU combination at the GRID system 330 through the network 350.
In one embodiment, GRID system 330 provides network resources managed by one or more host operating systems, wherein the network resources (e.g., CPU, GPU, etc.) are virtualized and shared within one or more virtual machines (VMs) and external communication networks. That is, one or more host systems manage a plurality of physical servers that support a plurality of virtual machines. In particular, the host manager in conjunction with other elements (e.g., hypervisor) creates, manages, and runs a plurality of virtual machines. In one implementation, the GRID system 330 may include a distributed network of computing resources made available through a communication network. In that manner, the GRID system 330 provides complete, virtualized gaming systems that are also designed to provide high power graphics processing that are accessed through end terminals and/or gaming devices (e.g., device 310B).
As previously described, the optimization support server 340 is configured to provide current settings for various hardware and/or software configurations (e.g., in-game graphic settings), including those associated with virtualized CPUs and GPUs supported by the GRID system 330, that are optimized for a particular gaming application. As such, a user may load a gaming application using a virtualized CPU and/or GPU supported at the GRID system 330, wherein the virtual CPU and/or GPU combination is associated with a particular hardware and/or software configuration that is optimized using the optimization support server 340.
In another embodiment, the gaming device 310B is a stand-alone device that is configured for executing and controlling the actions within a gaming application. In one implementation, the gaming device 310B comprises a handheld gaming console. For instance, the gaming device 310B includes a processor for executing an internally stored gaming application. The gaming device 310B also includes a display (e.g., a high-definition display) for the display of various images, including video from a locally executing gaming application, video from a remotely executing gaming application, secondary or supplemental video of a gaming application related to a gaming application, etc. In one embodiment, the gaming device 310B is communicatively coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly through a WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, etc.) to various secondary, local devices, such as, those within a short distance of each other, like in a home environment. For example, gaming device 310B may act as a display for a personal computer or mobile device that are executing a gaming application, or an TV monitor (e.g., high-definition television) for displaying video from a gaming application executed on the gaming device 310B. In another embodiment, the gaming device 310B is communicatively coupled (e.g., through WAN, LAN, internet, etc.) to remote devices, such as, remote web servers, the optimization support server 340, GRID servers 330. In addition, the gaming device 310B is coupled with a mobile based application store that is affiliated with an entity supporting a gaming environment and/or community accessible through the handheld gaming device 310B, such as, TegraZone associated with Nvidia Corp. that manages a suite of Google Android based gaming applications suitable for execution on the gaming device 310B.
Optimizing management module 400 includes an updating module 410 configured for receiving current information regarding optimal settings. For example, updating module 410 is communicatively coupled to the optimization support server 340 of
Generally, performance is inversely related to image quality. That is, improving performance of an application by adjusting settings, such as, improving or expanding the execution of the application on a given hardware platform, comes at a cost of image quality. The pre-defined optimal settings provide the best image quality and performance for a given configuration of hardware. This optimization information is updated periodically (e.g., hourly, once a day, etc.) and in one embodiment locally stored in storage 420 so that the most up-to-date optimization information is available to the user. In other embodiments storage 420 is remote from the computing device interfacing with the user.
Optimizing management module 400 includes a gaming application detector 430 that is configured for discovering when an application is being invoked for the first time, sometime after the application has been installed. For example, detector 430 is configured to periodically poll a list of gaming applications supported by service providing optimal settings to gaming applications (e.g., as serviced by the optimization support server 340) which have started or ended within a past period.
In addition, the resource discovery module 440 is configured to determine the hardware configuration for a particular computing device used to execute the gaming application. In that manner, the user has the opportunity to play the gaming application under optimal settings for a given hardware configuration.
The optimizer 450 is configured to apply optimal settings to a game settings file 460 associated with the gaming application. That is, upon invocation, an associated game settings file is generated or pre-defined. The game settings file determines the way the gaming application is executed, and as applied will affect the way the game looks and performs. For purposes of illustration, settings in the file include, but are not limited to, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, water quality, shadow quality, hair quality, sharpening, and texture resolution. For example, if a user has a high-powered computing device, but the default settings in the game settings file are defined for an average, lower performing machine to obtain better performance at the cost of image quality, then the user will be presented with an average view of the gaming application. In that case, the user's high powered computing device is not being used to its full capacity. On the other hand, the optimizer 450 adjusts the game settings file 460 to include settings that are optimized for the high-powered computing device of the user.
At 510, the method includes detecting a newly discovered gaming application on a computing device. In one implementation, the method includes performing a scan for a game starting or ending execution within a previous time period on the computing device.
Also, during detection, the method includes determining a first invocation of the gaming application. For instance, it is determined whether optimization for this gaming application has been previously addressed. For example, the scan may include includes polling a list of applications which has started or ended within a past period (e.g., last 5 seconds). The list of applications includes those applications that have pre-defined optimal settings available, one of which can be applied to the user's computing system (e.g., its hardware configuration).
At 520, the method includes receiving an instruction to optimize the newly discovered gaming application. That is, the user is given an opportunity to apply optimal settings to a computing device that is configured to execute and display the newly discovered gaming application. The user elects to optimize the computing device, and enables the delivery of an instruction to optimize the computing device. In one implementation, a pop-up notification appears (e.g., “Optimal Game Settings Are Available. Enter CTRL+F6 to Apply Settings”), and once the user enters the appropriate key sequence, the necessary operations are performed to apply optimal settings to the game settings file.
In particular, at 530 the method includes determining a hardware configuration for the computing device. For example, the hardware configuration may include the type and model of processor or processors available for executing the gaming application, the type and model of graphics processor or processors available, the type and model of display, etc.
At 540, the method includes accessing pre-defined optimal settings based on the gaming application and the hardware configuration. In one embodiment, the pre-defined optimal settings are locally stored, and are periodically updated to include the most current optimal settings for the gaming application, in association with one or more hardware configurations. In another embodiment, the pre-defined optimal settings are stored in a location remote from the computing device.
At 550, the method includes configuring the game settings file to include, at least in part, the pre-defined optimal settings. For example, the method includes writing the pre-defined optimal settings into the game settings file that is associated with the gaming application.
At 605, the method includes scanning for a newly executed or newly exited gaming application within a previous time period (e.g., 5 seconds). The scanning is performed to detect a gaming application that potentially is being invoked for the first time. For example, a user may install a gaming application on a computing device. The gaming application will run for the first time, and in particular, is invoked for the first time. During invocation, a game settings file is created, wherein the settings in the file determine the way the gaming application is executed and displayed in or on that particular computing device, and as applied will affect the way the game looks and performs. As such, at 605, the method includes detecting a newly executed or newly exited gaming application.
At 610, the method includes determining whether the gaming application is supported by a service providing the best user experience when playing the gaming application. That is, are there pre-defined optimal settings for this gaming application configured for one or more hardware configurations potentially used by one or more users playing the gaming application. As such, optimal settings may be delivered as an update from optimization servers (e.g., the optimization support server 340 of
At 615, the method includes determining whether the newly discovered gaming application is listed on a personal list of installed, and previously invoked and supported applications. In particular, it is determined whether or not the opportunity to apply optimal settings for this gaming application has been previously addressed. In short, this method determines whether the game is being invoked for the first time. If the chance to use optimal settings has been previously addressed (e.g., presented to the user and either accepted for optimization or declined to use default settings), then the gaming application is not being invoked for the first time, and the method ends. On the other hand, if the chance to use optimal settings has not been previously addressed, then the gaming application is being invoked for the first time, and the method proceeds to 620. In one implementation, a corresponding flag is set to true when a gaming application has been considered for optimization (even if the user chooses not to optimize), and set to false by default.
At 620, the method includes determining whether an optimizing query has been launched in relation to the newly discovered gaming application. That is, on some gaming applications, the game settings file is created and finalized only upon exiting. As such, applying the optimal settings to the game settings file is performed only after the user has already been queried, and an exit from the gaming application has been performed. If a query has been presented in association with a first invocation, then the method proceeds to common point B, which continues in
At 625, the method includes presenting an optimizing query to the user. For example, the query includes a pop-up notification or splash screen (e.g., “Optimal game settings are available. Enter Cntl+F6 to optimize your gaming application. Note your gaming application will be restarted in order to apply the settings.”). In this manner, the user is given the option to optimize the hardware configuration used to execute and display the gaming application. That is, the user has control over the gaming settings, and the game settings file is not automatically updated. In other embodiments, the game settings file may be automatically updated. Continuing with the example, the notification is visible even with a full-screen game, such as, with an overlay. The pop-up notification appears for a period of time (e.g., a few seconds) upon first invocation, which is enough to give the user the opportunity to decide whether to optimize the game settings file.
At decision step 630, the method determines whether the user wants to optimize the gaming application for the particular hardware configuration associated with the computing device used to execute and display the gaming application. That is, a reply to the query is examined to determine if the user want to optimize the game settings file of the gaming application. If the user does not want to optimize (e.g., passively ignores the notification or actively declines), then the method ends. On the other hand, if the user wants to optimize (e.g., actively accepts the query to optimize), then the method proceeds to common point A, which is continued in
In
For a gaming application that writes to the game settings file after a delay, at 660, the method forces (e.g., automatically) an exit from the gaming application. Thereafter, at 665, the optimal settings are automatically applied to the game settings file. In addition, at 670, the gaming application is added to a personal list of previously addressed (e.g., whether optimization is desired, or not) gaming applications supported with optimal settings. At 675, the gaming application is restarted, so that the user is able to enjoy the game with a computing device that is configured with the most optimal settings for that gaming application. In that manner, the best gaming experience is provided to the user.
In still another embodiment, the game settings file is locked after optimization under any write to game settings file condition. In that case, no additional writes or changes to the game settings file can be made by the gaming application, which could cause file corruption (e.g., during race conditions).
On the other hand, if the gaming application does not write settings to a game settings file after a delay, then the method proceeds to decision step 645, where the method determines whether the newly discovered gaming application writes settings upon exit. If true, the method proceeds to 655, and instructs the user to manually exit the gaming application, in one implementation. At that point, the method proceeds back to 605.
However, it is understood that the process for updating the gaming application has been previously initiated, but not completed, in order to finalize the optimization of the gaming application. For instance, a flag may be set indicating that the optimizing query has been launched but not fully addressed. In this manner, the process proceeds from 605, past 610 after reaffirming that this gaming application has optimal settings available, after determining at 615 that the newly terminated gaming application has not yet been added to the personal list of gaming applications that have been fully addressed for optimization, through decision step 620 that determines that an optimization query has been launched but not fully addressed, and back to common point B, which is continued on
At that point, for a gaming application that writes settings upon exit, the method from common point B determines whether the application has been gracefully exited by the user. If the application has not been exited, the method may continue to 665 to ask the user to exit the gaming application. On the other hand, if the user has exited the application, the method automatically applies optimal settings to the game settings file at 665; adds the gaming application at 670 to a personal list of previously addressed (e.g., whether optimization is desired) gaming applications supported with optimal settings; and restarts the gaming application at 675. In that manner, the user is able to enjoy the game with a computing device that is configured with the most optimal settings for that gaming application in order to provide the best gaming experience to the user.
On the other hand, if the gaming application does not write settings to a game settings file upon exit, then the method proceeds to decision step 650, where the method determines whether the newly discovered gaming application writes settings upon change. If false, the method ends. If true, the method proceeds to 660 and forces (e.g., automatically) an exit to the gaming application. That is, this gaming application that writes on change can be treated similarly as a gaming application that writes settings after a delay, where the delay is zero (0) seconds. Thereafter, the optimal settings are applied automatically at 665; the gaming application is added at 670 to a personal list of previously addressed gaming applications; and restarts the gaming application at 675 with a hardware configuration that is optimized to the gaming application to give the best gaming experience to the user.
Thus, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods are described providing for applying optimal settings for a gaming application as executed on a specific computing device to enhance the overall gaming experience of a corresponding user.
While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments using specific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagram component, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/or illustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively, using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or any combination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure of components contained within other components should be considered as examples in that many architectural variants can be implemented to achieve the same functionality.
The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various example methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.
While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated herein in the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more of these example embodiments may be distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. These software modules may configure a computing system to perform one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein. One or more of the software modules disclosed herein may be implemented in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing environments may provide various services and applications via the Internet. These cloud-based services (e.g., software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, etc.) may be accessible through a Web browser or other remote interface. Various functions described herein may be provided through a remote desktop environment or any other cloud-based computing environment.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure are thus described. While the present disclosure has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the disclosure should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.
