METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING AND CALIBRATING PERFORMANCES OF GAMERS

• US 20140243093A1
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelseries Aps
• Original Assignee: Steelseries Aps
• Inventors: Rom, Kim, Grever, Francis Arnold, Mahlmeister, Jeffrey Nicholas, Wolff-Petersen, Jacob, Hawver, Bruce, Soelberg, Tino, Nicolella, Christopher John
• Granted Patent: US 9,480,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/798 for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for generating a hall of fame computing the game score A63F13/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet

Abstract

A gaming system employs bioinformatics to improve gamer performance and enhance the gaming experience. The gaming system monitors biometrics of gamers using gaming accessories having sensors coupled to the gaming accessories (e.g., a mouse with pulse sensor). Biometrics can be used to assess a crisis or panic reaction of the gamer. The system can also assess the state of the game in real time via API feedback, and coach the player on how best to regain control. The system can also predict a gamer'"'"'s loss of control by monitoring hardware statistics associated with the game, combined with gaming feedback and biometric data, and can determine how best to coach the player to correct problems. Predictive models can be used to predict a gamer'"'"'s panic attack or loss of control before it occurs. When a crisis occurs, the system can automatically contact the gamer'"'"'s teammates to assist the gamer.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a gaming system comprising a processor, biometric data of a game user via a biometric sensor;

establishing, by the gaming system, criteria for the biometric data with respect to game performance;

subsequently determining by the gaming system, based on the criteria, whether the biometric data indicates an occurrence of a game performance event requiring a corrective action; and

performing, by the gaming system, the corrective action in accordance with a determination of the occurrence of the game performance event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the criteria further comprise game performance criteria relating to the game user, and further comprising:

receiving, by the gaming system, game performance data of the game user, and

subsequently determining by the gaming system, based on the criteria, whether the game performance data indicates the occurrence of the game performance event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor is integrated with a game accessory, and the biometric data comprises at least one of pulse rate, temperature, perspiration, eye movement, speech pattern, or facial expression of the game user.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the game performance data comprises at least one of a click rate, firing rate, firing accuracy or movement accuracy of the game user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the corrective action comprises providing a visual coaching message or an audio coaching message to the game user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the corrective action comprises changing presentation of the game to the game user or transferring gaming control from the game user.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

establishing, by the gaming system, a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

providing, by the gaming system, access to the profile via a network;

establishing, by the gaming system, a gamer profile for a specific game;

analyzing, by the gaming system, profiles of gamers accessed via the network;

identifying, by the gaming system, a candidate gamer in accordance with comparing a profile of the candidate gamer with the gamer profile; and

sending, by the gaming system, a message to the candidate gamer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating an event log in accordance with the occurrence of the game performance event.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

establishing, by the gaming system, a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

establishing, by the gaming system, a predictive model for the occurrence of the game performance event, in accordance with the profile, the event log, and characteristics of the game; and

applying the predictive model, by the gaming system, to the biometric data to predict a future game performance event.

10. A gaming device, comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising;

receiving biometric data of a game user via a biometric sensor;

establishing criteria for the biometric data with respect to game performance;

determining, based on the criteria, whether the biometric data indicates an occurrence of a game performance event associated with a corrective action; and

performing the corrective action in accordance with a determination of the occurrence of the game performance event.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the criteria further comprise game performance criteria relating to the game user, and wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving game performance data of the game user, and

determining, based on the criteria, whether the game performance data indicates the occurrence of the game performance event.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the biometric sensor is integrated with a game accessory, and the biometric data comprises at least one of pulse rate, temperature, perspiration, eye movement, speech pattern, or facial expression of the game user.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the corrective action comprises providing a visual coaching message or an audio coaching message to the game user.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the corrective action comprises changing presentation of the game to the game user or transferring gaming control from the game user.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:

establishing a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

providing access to the profile via a network;

establishing a gamer profile for a specific game;

analyzing profiles of gamers accessed via the network;

identifying a candidate gamer in accordance with comparing a profile of the candidate gamer with the gamer profile; and

sending a message to the candidate gamer.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

updating an event log in accordance with the occurrence of the game performance event;

establishing a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

establishing a predictive model for the occurrence of the game performance event, in accordance with the profile, the event log, and characteristics of the game; and

applying the predictive model to the biometric data to predict a future game performance event.

17. A tangible computer-readable storage device, comprising computer instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving biometric data of a game user via a biometric sensor;

establishing criteria for the biometric data with respect to game performance;

determining, based on the criteria, whether the biometric data indicates an occurrence of a game performance event associated with a corrective action; and

performing the corrective action in accordance with determination of the occurrence of the game performance event.

18. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the criteria further comprise game performance criteria relating to the game user, and wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving game performance data of the game user, and

subsequently determining, based on the criteria, whether the game performance data indicates occurrence of the game performance event.

19. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:

establishing a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

providing access to the profile via a network;

establishing a gamer profile for a specific game;

analyzing profiles of gamers accessed via the network;

identifying a candidate gamer in accordance with comparing a profile of the candidate gamer with the gamer profile; and

sending a message to the candidate gamer.

20. The tangible computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:

updating an event log in accordance with the occurrence of the game performance event;

establishing a profile for the game user based on the criteria;

establishing a predictive model for the occurrence of the game performance event, in accordance with the profile, the event log, and characteristics of the game; and

applying the predictive model to the biometric data to predict a future game performance event.