Systems and methods for seamless host migration
First Claim
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1. A method for migrating hosts in a network game environment, the method comprising:
- evaluating backup viability criteria for a plurality of clients within a network game session;
transmitting network information regarding a host responsibility to a group of clients that satisfy the backup viability criteria, the transmitted network information corresponding to host responsibilities assigned to the group of clients to take over when communication with the host regarding those host responsibilities is interrupted, wherein different groups of clients are assigned different host responsibilities;
allocating host responsibilities within the group of clients, wherein allocating the host responsibilities includes identifying an order for performing the host responsibilities based on the evaluated backup viability criteria;
detecting an interruption in communication between the host and the network game session pertaining to a first host responsibility;
replacing the host with a first client within the group of clients allocated the first host responsibility, wherein the first client is instructed to communicate with the network game session and to perform the first host responsibility in place of the host; and
monitoring the network game session for further interruption in communication, wherein a next client within the group of clients is assigned to replace the first client in performing the first host responsibility following the further interruption.
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Abstract
Systems and methods of the present invention for maintaining network data distribution are provided. Network data may be distributed in such as manner as to allow a network session to weather interrupted communications between host and clients without significant loss of data. Embodiments of the present invention provide for one or more clients to serve as backup host(s) for the network session. When the other clients transmit data to the host, they may also transmit the data to one or more backup hosts if there are any indications of interrupted communication.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for migrating hosts in a network game environment, the method comprising:
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evaluating backup viability criteria for a plurality of clients within a network game session; transmitting network information regarding a host responsibility to a group of clients that satisfy the backup viability criteria, the transmitted network information corresponding to host responsibilities assigned to the group of clients to take over when communication with the host regarding those host responsibilities is interrupted, wherein different groups of clients are assigned different host responsibilities; allocating host responsibilities within the group of clients, wherein allocating the host responsibilities includes identifying an order for performing the host responsibilities based on the evaluated backup viability criteria; detecting an interruption in communication between the host and the network game session pertaining to a first host responsibility; replacing the host with a first client within the group of clients allocated the first host responsibility, wherein the first client is instructed to communicate with the network game session and to perform the first host responsibility in place of the host; and monitoring the network game session for further interruption in communication, wherein a next client within the group of clients is assigned to replace the first client in performing the first host responsibility following the further interruption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for migrating hosts in a network game environment, the system comprising:
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a plurality of client devices communicatively connected to a network game session, wherein one of the client devices is designated a host of the network game session; and a server comprising; memory that maintains information regarding backup viability criteria for the plurality of clients within the network game session, a communication interface that transmits network information regarding a host responsibility to a group of clients that satisfy the backup viability criteria, the transmitted network information corresponding to host responsibilities assigned to the group of clients to take over when communication with the host regarding those host responsibilities is interrupted, wherein different groups of clients are assigned different host responsibilities, and a processor that executes instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by the processor; allocates host responsibilities within the group of clients, wherein allocating the host responsibilities includes identifying an order for performing the host responsibilities based on the backup viability criteria, detects an interruption in communication between the host and the network game session pertaining to a first host responsibility, replaces the host with a first client within the group of clients allocated the first host responsibility, wherein the first client is instructed to communicate with the network game session and to perform the first host responsibility in place of the host, and monitors the network game session for further interruption in communication, wherein a next client within the group of clients is assigned to replace the first client in performing the first host responsibility following the further interruption. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for migrating hosts in a network game environment, the method comprising:
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evaluating backup viability criteria for a plurality of clients within a network game session; transmitting network information regarding a host responsibility to a group of clients that satisfy the backup viability criteria, the transmitted network information corresponding to host responsibilities assigned to the group of clients to take over when communication with the host regarding those host responsibilities is interrupted, wherein different groups of clients are assigned different host responsibilities; allocating host responsibilities within the group of clients, wherein allocating the host responsibilities includes identifying an order for performing the host responsibilities based on the evaluated backup viability criteria; detecting an interruption in communication between the host and the network game session pertaining to a first host responsibility; replacing the host with a first client within the group of clients allocated the first host responsibility, wherein the first client is instructed to communicate with the network game session and to perform the first host responsibility in place of the host; and monitoring the network game session for further interruption in communication, wherein a next client within the group of clients is assigned to replace the first client in performing the first host responsibility following the further interruption.
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Specification