NON-LINEAR INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE CREATION AND EXECUTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20180056191A1
• Filed: 08/30/2016
• Published: 03/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: POISNER, DAVID I.
• Granted Patent: US 10,576,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6009 for importing or creating game content, e.g. authoring tools during game development, adapting content to different platforms, use of a scripting language to create content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and system create and execute non-linear interactive programs comprising action stages. During creation of a non-linear interactive program, output devices do not need to be known in advance, but can be defined according to output device criteria. Based on output devices encountered during execution of a non-linear interactive program, input which may be received from the output devices is determined, as well as input-output criteria. When input is received and input-output criteria are satisfied, output may be produced. In this way, execution of the non-linear interactive program may unfold, adaptively, based on participating output devices and input provided by such devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for computing, comprising:

a computer processor and a memory; and

an interactive experience creation module to create a non-linear interactive program, wherein to create the non-linear interactive program, the interactive experience creation module is to create a set of action stages and an output device selection criteria, wherein each action stage in the set of action stages comprises an output, an input, and an input-output criteria.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of an action stage comprises at least one of a text, an image, an audio, a 2-dimensional print, 3-dimensional print, a peripheral device control, an executable software program, a deactivation of a player computer, a pause, or a goal completion, wherein the input of an action stage comprises at least one of a text input value, a voice input value, an image input value, a touch input value, an actuator input value, an orientation of device(s) input value, an output from a programmed electronic device, and a location input value, and wherein the input-output criteria of an action stage in the set of action stages comprises receipt of at least one message comprising the input or a sequence of input during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the at least one message is received from at least one participant proving the input or the sequence of input within a time period, from a number of participants providing the input or the sequence of input, or from a participant or a number of participants with a goal completion status in the non-linear interactive experience.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the goal completion in relation to a first action stage in the set of action stages activates a second action stage in the set of action stages during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image input comprises an image of a physical object, wherein the image of the physical object is to be processed by an image processing module to determine the image input value, wherein the physical object comprises at least one of a 2-dimensionally printed object, a 3-dimensionally printed object, a building, a person, an animal, or an object assembled during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, and wherein the 2-dimensionally printed object comprises at least one of a bar code, a matrix bar code, and a 2-dimensional print.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input-output criteria of the action stage comprises at least a first and a second message from a first and a second participant within the time period, wherein the first and second messages comprise orientation of the devices input values, and wherein the output comprises the goal completion status.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output device selection criteria comprises at least one of a coordinating device, wherein the coordinating device is to coordinate a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, a backup coordinating device, wherein the backup coordinating device is to coordinate the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program when the coordinating device is unavailable, a purchaser, wherein the purchaser is to provide consideration to obtain the non-linear interactive program, a player, wherein the player is to play the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program under the coordination of the coordinator, or a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of an audio and/or visual rendering device, an electronically or mechanically controlled lock, an electronically controlled actuator, or a communication device, and wherein the output device selection criteria further comprises at least one of a random selection among a group of available output devices, a selection by the coordinating device or the backup coordinating device among the group of available output devices, a self-selection by a user of the output device, a selection of an output device based on at least one of a location of the output device, a display characteristic of the output device, a processing power of the output device, a goal completion status of a user of the output device, a participant role of a user of the output device, a battery life of the output device, an availability of non-battery power to the output device, an output device most recently added during the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, or an output device most heavily used during the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the participant role of the user of the output device comprises at least one of the coordinator, the purchaser, or the player.

7. An apparatus for computing, comprising:

means to perform an execution of a non-linear interactive program comprising means to obtain access to the non-linear interactive program comprising a set of action stages and an output device selection criteria, wherein each action stage in the set of action stages comprises an output, an input, and an input-output criteria;

means to determine a set of output devices according to the output device selection criteria;

means to receive the input, means to determine the output according to the input-output criteria, and means to output the output.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output of an action stage in the set of action stages comprises at least one of a text, an image, an audio, a 2-dimensional print, 3-dimensional print, a peripheral device control, an executable software program, a deactivation of a player computer, a pause, or a goal completion, wherein means to determine the set of output devices in the area according to the output device selection criteria comprises means to receive at least one message comprising the input or a sequence of input during the execution of the non-linear interactive program and means to determine that the at least one message was received from at least one participant proving the input or the sequence of input within a time period, from a number of participants providing the input or the sequence of input, or from a participant or a number of participants with a goal completion status in the non-linear interactive experience, and further comprising means to process the input, wherein the input of an action stage comprises at least one of a text input value, a voice input value, an image input value, a touch input value, an actuator input value, an orientation of device(s) input value, and a location input value.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means to determine the goal completion in relation to a first action stage in the set of action stages and means to determine the output comprising an activation of a second action stage in the set of action stages during the execution of the non-linear interactive program.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image input value comprises an image of a physical object, and further comprising means to process the image of the physical object to determine the image input value, wherein the physical object comprises at least one of a 2-dimensionally printed object, a 3-dimensionally printed object, a building, a person, an animal, or an object assembled during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the 2-dimensionally printed object comprises at least one of a bar code, a matrix bar code, and a 2-dimensional print.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the input-output criteria of the action stage comprises a first and a second message from at least two participants within the time period, wherein the first and second messages comprise orientation of the devices input values, and wherein the output comprises the goal completion status.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means to use the output device selection criteria to select at least one of a coordinating device, wherein the coordinating device is to coordinate execution of the non-linear interactive program, a backup coordinating device, wherein the backup coordinating device is to coordinate the execution of the non-linear interactive program when the coordinating device is unavailable, a purchaser, wherein the purchaser is to provide consideration to obtain the non-linear interactive program, a player, wherein the player is to play the non-linear interactive program under the coordination of the coordinator, or a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of an audio and/or visual rendering device, an electronically or mechanically controlled lock, an electronically controlled actuator, or a communication device, and wherein the output device selection criteria further comprises at least one of a random selection among a group of available output devices, a selection by the coordinating device or the backup coordinating device among the group of available output devices, a self-selection by a user of the output device, a selection of an output device based on at least one of a location of the output device, a display characteristic of the output device, a processing power of the output device, a goal completion status of a user of the output device, a participant role of a user of the output device, a battery life of the output device, an availability of non-battery power to the output device, an output device most recently added during the execution of the non-linear interactive program, or an output device most heavily used during the execution of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the participant role of the user of the output device comprises at least one of the coordinator, the purchaser, or the player.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means to select output and input-output criteria during the execution of the non-linear interactive program according to at least one of the output device selected for at least one of the player participant roles.

14. One or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that cause a computer device, in response to execution of the instructions by a processor of the computer device, to:

create a non-linear interactive program by creating a set of action stages and an output device selection criteria, wherein each action stage in the set of action stages comprises an output, an input, and an input-output criteria.

15. The computer-readable media according to claim 14, wherein the output of an action stage comprises at least one of a text, an image, an audio, a 2-dimensional print, 3-dimensional print, a peripheral device control, an executable software program, a deactivation of a player computer, a pause, or a goal completion, wherein the input of an action stage comprises at least one of a text input value, a voice input value, an image input value, a touch input value, an actuator input value, an orientation of device(s) input value, an output from a programmed electronic device, and a location input value, wherein the input-output criteria of an action stage in the set of action stages comprises receipt of at least one message comprising the input or a sequence of input during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the at least one message is to be received from at least one participant proving the input or the sequence of input within a time period, from a number of participants providing the input, or from a participant or a number of participants with a goal completion status in the non-linear interactive experience.

16. The computer-readable media according to claim 15, wherein the goal completion in relation to a first action stage in the set of action stages activates a second action stage in the set of action stages during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program.

17. The computer-readable media according to claim 15, wherein the image input comprises an image of a physical object, and wherein the computer device is further to process the image of the physical object to determine the image input value, wherein the physical object comprises at least one of a 2-dimensionally printed object, a 3-dimensionally printed object, a building, a person, an animal, or an object assembled during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, and wherein the 2-dimensionally printed object comprises at least one of a bar code, a matrix bar code, and a 2-dimensional print.

18. The computer-readable media according to claim 15, wherein the input-output criteria of the action stage comprises a first and a second message from a first and a second participant within the time period, wherein the first and second messages comprise orientation of the devices input values and wherein the output comprises the goal completion status.

19. The computer-readable media according to claim 18, wherein the output device selection criteria is to be used during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program to select at least one of a coordinating device, wherein the coordinating device is to coordinate a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, a backup coordinating device, wherein the backup coordinating device is to coordinate the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program when the coordinating device is unavailable, a purchaser, wherein the purchaser is to provide consideration to obtain the non-linear interactive program, a player, wherein the player is to play the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program under the coordination of the coordinator, or a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of an audio and/or visual rendering device, an electronically or mechanically controlled lock, an electronically controlled actuator, or a communication device, and wherein the output device selection criteria further comprises at least one of a random selection among a group of available output devices, a selection by the coordinating device or the backup coordinating device among the group of available output devices, a self-selection by a user of the output device, a selection of an output device based on at least one of a location of the output device, a display characteristic of the output device, a processing power of the output device, a goal completion status of a user of the output device, a participant role of a user of the output device, a battery life of the output device, an availability of non-battery power to the output device, an output device most recently added during the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, or an output device most heavily used during the runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, and wherein the participant role of the user of the output device comprises at least one of the coordinator, the purchaser, or the player.

20. One or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that cause a computer device, in response to execution of the instructions by a processor of the computer device, to:

obtain access to and execute a non-linear interactive program, the non-linear interactive program comprising a set of action stages and an output device selection criteria, wherein each action stage in the set of action stages comprises an output, an input, and an input-output criteria;

determine a set of output devices in an area according to the output device selection criteria; and

receive the input, determine the output according to the input-output criteria, and output the output.

21. The computer-readable media according to claim 20, wherein the output of an action stage in the set of action stages comprises at least one of a text, an image, an audio, a 2-dimensional print, 3-dimensional print, a peripheral device control, an executable software program, a deactivation of a player computer, a pause, or a goal completion, wherein the computer device is further to process the input, wherein the input of an action stage comprises at least one of a text input value, a voice input value, an image input value, a touch input value, an actuator input value, an orientation of device(s) input value, and a location input value, receive at least one message comprising the input or a sequence of input during the execution of the non-linear interactive program, and determine that the at least one message was received from at least one participant proving the input or the sequence of input within a time period, from a number of participants providing the input, or from a participant or a number of participants with a goal completion status in the non-linear interactive experience.

22. The computer-readable media according to claim 21, wherein the computer device is further to determine the goal completion in relation to a first action stage in the set of action stages and determine the output comprising an activation of a second action stage in the set of action stages.

23. The computer-readable media according to claim 21, wherein the image input value comprises an image of a physical object, and wherein the computer device is further to process the image of the physical object to determine the image input value, wherein the physical object comprises at least one of a 2-dimensionally printed object, a 3-dimensionally printed object, a building, a person, an animal, or an object assembled during a runtime instance of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the 2-dimensionally printed object comprises at least one of a bar code, a matrix bar code, and a 2-dimensional print, wherein the computer device is further to determine the set of output devices in the area according to the output device selection criteria.

24. The computer-readable media according to claim 21, wherein the input-output criteria of the action stage comprises a first and second message from a first and a second participant within the time period, wherein the first and second messages comprise the orientation of the devices input value, and wherein the computer device is further to determine the output as comprising the goal completion and output the goal completion as the output.

25. The computer-readable media according to claim 21, wherein the computer device is further to use the output device selection criteria to select at least one of a coordinating device, wherein the coordinating device is to coordinate execution of the non-linear interactive program, a backup coordinating device, wherein the backup coordinating device is to coordinate the execution of the non-linear interactive program when the coordinating device is unavailable, a purchaser, wherein the purchaser is to provide consideration to obtain the non-linear interactive program, a player, wherein the player is to play the non-linear interactive program under the coordination of the coordinator, or a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one of an audio and/or visual rendering device, an electronically or mechanically controlled lock, an electronically controlled actuator, or a communication device, and wherein the output device selection criteria further comprises at least one of a random selection among a group of available output devices, a selection by the coordinating device or the backup coordinating device among the group of available output devices, a self-selection by a user of the output device, a selection of an output device based on at least one of a location of the output device, a display characteristic of the output device, a processing power of the output device, a goal completion status of a user of the output device, a participant role of a user of the output device, a battery life of the output device, an availability of non-battery power to the output device, an output device most recently added during the execution of the non-linear interactive program, or an output device most heavily used during the execution of the non-linear interactive program, wherein the participant role of the user of the output device comprises at least one of the coordinator, the purchaser, or the player.