User-centric method of aggregating information sources to reinforce digital identity

• US 20060121987A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Ling Tony, Bortnik, Michal, O'Kelley, Patrick W. II, Hansen, Johan Peter, Henson, Scott, Johnson, Jerry A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,876,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a digital identity or profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of gamers and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.

Claims

1. A gaming console, comprising:

a processor adapted to run gaming applications on said gaming console;

a memory for storing game-related and user-related data; and

a network interface;

wherein said gaming console aggregates data related to said user'"'"'s interaction with said gaming applications and forwards said data to a remote service via said network interface.

2. The gaming console of claim 1, wherein said digital identity includes information regarding at least one of said user'"'"'s interaction with said gaming applications, preferences, game achievements and reward points.

3. The gaming console of claim 2, wherein said digital identity includes feedback information about said user provided by other users of said remote service.

4. The gaming console of claim 2, wherein said digital identity includes self-described information provided by said user, said self-described information being editable via a user interface.

5. The gaming console of claim 2, wherein said game achievements include accomplishments for said user within said gaming applications, said game achievements being accumulated while said gaming console is connected to said remote service and disconnected from said remote service.

6. The gaming console of claim 5, wherein when said game achievements are accumulated when said gaming console is disconnected from said remote service, said game achievements are synchronized to said remote service when said gaming console is reconnected to said remote service.

7. The gaming console of claim 2, wherein said preferences are set for a controller and applied for all gaming applications.

8. The gaming console of claim 2, wherein said reward points are awarded by said remote service in accordance with said game achievements and displayed in a user interface.

9. A method of aggregating a user'"'"'s digital identity by a gaming service, comprising:

receiving said user'"'"'s game achievements from a gaming console connected to said gaming service;

receiving feedback information regarding said user from other users connected to said gaming service;

storing said user'"'"'s game achievements and feedback information in said digital identity; and

making said digital identity available in accordance with user preferences.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving game preferences from said user; and

storing said game preference in said digital identity.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising applying said game preferences to gaming applications run on said gaming console.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving self-described information provided by said user, said self-described information being editable via a user interface; and

including said self-described information in said digital identity.

13. The method of claim 9, said user'"'"'s game achievements including statistics and accomplishments within gaming applications run on said gaming console, said method further comprising:

accumulating said user game achievements while said gaming console is connected to said gaming service and disconnected from said gaming service.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein when said user game achievements are accumulated when said gaming console is disconnected from said remote, said method further comprising synchronizing said user game achievements with said gaming service after said gaming console is reconnected to said gaming service.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

awarding reward points in accordance with said user game achievements; and

adding said reward points to said digital identity.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising making said user'"'"'s presence information available to said other users.

17. The method of claim 9, said making said digital identity available further comprising providing said digital identity to other users via said gaming console or via the Internet.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing at least one of a friends list and a recent players list in a guide; and

providing game achievements of users in said friends list or said recent player lists.

19. In a gaming service to which gaming devices are remotely connected, a method of providing a profile about a user to other users of said gaming service, said method comprising:

receiving self-provided information from said user;

receiving said user'"'"'s game playing achievements;

receiving feedback information regarding said user from other users;

storing said user'"'"'s game playing achievements and feedback information in a profile; and

making said profile available to said other users in accordance with user'"'"'s preferences.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving game customization preferences from said user;

storing said game customization preferences in said profile; and

applying said game customization preferences to gaming applications and controller devices on said gaming devices connected to said gaming service.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing an offline mode in said gaming devices, where said game playing achievements are accumulated when said user is not connected to said gaming service; and

synchronizing said game playing achievements upon a next connection to said gaming service.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising developing a reputation associated with said user, said reputation being based upon said feedback information and said game playing achievements.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising awarding reward points to said user based on said game playing achievements.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising making said user'"'"'s presence information available to said other users.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing data to a guide that is executed on said gaming devices, said guide providing a graphical interface to navigate said profile.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said guide provides at least one of a friends list and a recent players list.