Online gaming spectator system
First Claim
1. A method for enabling spectators to follow play in an online game or other online event without requiring a spectator device to execute the online game or other online event, comprising the steps of:
- (a) creating a spectator process that responds to a changing state of the electronic game or other online event, said spectator process continuously updating a plurality of spectator models, wherein each spectator model is updated to track the changing state of the electronic game or other online event, and wherein the plurality of spectator models correspond to a plurality of different types of spectator devices that are being used by spectators to follow the action in the online game or other event;
(b) using the spectator models for the plurality of different types of spectator devices, generating a different data stream customized for use by each different type of spectator device, wherein each customized data stream may be displayed by the corresponding spectator device without requiring the spectator device to execute the online game or other online event;
(c) adding metadata to one or more of the plurality of data streams, the metadata providing executable code that enables a spectator to interact in a portion of the electronic game or other online event, as if the spectator were playing in the electronic game or other online event, but without affecting participants of the online game or other online event; and
(d) transmitting each of the plurality of data streams to the spectator devices, enabling the spectators using the different types of spectator devices to follow the play of the electronic game by receiving a stream customized for the spectator'"'"'s specific type of spectator device without requiring the spectator device to execute the online game or other online event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During an online event, a spectator process monitors a state of the event, updating a spectator model, so that spectator data streams can be generated and provided to spectators. The spectator data streams can be formatted and provided with content appropriate for use by different types of spectator devices used by the spectators. The spectator process can also automatically generate virtual commentary appropriate for the action occurring in the event for inclusion in the spectator data streams. A media server receives the rendered data streams and distributes them to the electronic devices being used by the spectators. The distribution can be delayed to avoid a spectator conveying information to a participant that would provide an unfair advantage. Executable code can be included in the spectator data stream to provide additional functionality and facilitate interaction between the spectators, and to enable a spectator to also “play” the game.
140 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for enabling spectators to follow play in an online game or other online event without requiring a spectator device to execute the online game or other online event, comprising the steps of:
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(a) creating a spectator process that responds to a changing state of the electronic game or other online event, said spectator process continuously updating a plurality of spectator models, wherein each spectator model is updated to track the changing state of the electronic game or other online event, and wherein the plurality of spectator models correspond to a plurality of different types of spectator devices that are being used by spectators to follow the action in the online game or other event; (b) using the spectator models for the plurality of different types of spectator devices, generating a different data stream customized for use by each different type of spectator device, wherein each customized data stream may be displayed by the corresponding spectator device without requiring the spectator device to execute the online game or other online event; (c) adding metadata to one or more of the plurality of data streams, the metadata providing executable code that enables a spectator to interact in a portion of the electronic game or other online event, as if the spectator were playing in the electronic game or other online event, but without affecting participants of the online game or other online event; and (d) transmitting each of the plurality of data streams to the spectator devices, enabling the spectators using the different types of spectator devices to follow the play of the electronic game by receiving a stream customized for the spectator'"'"'s specific type of spectator device without requiring the spectator device to execute the online game or other online event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing a data stream to a plurality of spectators for an electronic game being played online, to enable the spectators to follow play in the electronic game, comprising the steps of:
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(a) examining a current game state; (b) updating a plurality of different spectator models, wherein a spectator model is updated which corresponds to one of each of a plurality of different types of devices used by spectators to follow the play in the electronic game, as a function of the current game state, producing an updated spectator model for each different type of device; (c) generating a plurality of appropriate data streams based upon the updated spectator model, such that a data stream customized for receipt by each different type of device being used by the spectators is generated such that each device may display the electronic game without executing the electronic game; (d) adding metadata to one or more of the data streams, the metadata providing executable code that enables a spectator to interact in a portion of the electronic game, as if the spectator were playing in the electronic game, but without affecting participants of the electronic game; and (e) transmitting the appropriate data streams to the type of device being used by each spectator and for which the corresponding data stream was specifically generated, to enable the spectators to follow the play in the electronic game without requiring the spectator device to execute the electronic game; and (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) until the electronic game is completed or a session enabling spectators to follow the play in the electronic game is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for providing data streams to a plurality of spectators for an electronic game being played online over a network by a plurality of participants, wherein participants actively participate in the play of the electronic game and wherein spectators are passive viewers that do not actively participate in the play of the game, the system enabling the spectators to follow play of the electronic game on a plurality of spectator devices, the system comprising:
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(a) a memory in which machine instructions are stored; (b) a network interface that enables data streams to be transmitted over the network, wherein each data stream is adapted for input to one of a plurality of different spectator devices being used by the plurality of spectators such that each spectator device may display the data stream without executing the electronic game; and (c) a processor coupled to the memory and to the network interface, the processor executing the machine instructions and carrying out a plurality of functions, including; (i) examining a current game state of the electronic game; (ii) updating a spectator model for each of the plurality of different types of spectator devices used by a plurality of spectators to follow the play in the electronic game, and as a function of the current game state, producing an updated spectator model for each different type of spectator device being used; (iii) generating an appropriate data stream for each different type of spectator device, based upon the updated spectator model, such that each data stream is customized for a specific type of spectator device, and such that each data stream enables the corresponding spectator device to display the electronic game without executing the electronic game; (iv) adding metadata to one or more of the data streams, the metadata providing executable code that enables a spectator to interact in a portion of the electronic game, as if the spectator were playing in the electronic game, but without affecting participants of the electronic game; (v) transmitting each appropriate data stream over the network, for use by a corresponding type of spectator device employed by spectators to follow the play in the electronic game; (vi) include a narrative for the play of the participants in the electronic game within at least one audio-only stream, the narrative providing an explanation of a play that occurs in the electronic game; and (vii) repeating functions (i)-(vi) until the electronic game is completed. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification