Game clip popularity based control

• US 9,199,165 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2013
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Zahn, Jessica, Husak, Stephen, Chen, Alvin, Broekman, Daniel, Borri, Ramon Zarazua
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US13/942,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20150024839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/86 Watching games played by other players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/535 for monitoring, e.g. of user parameters, terminal parameters, application parameters, network parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/214 Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel, hospital arrangements specially adapted for local area broadcast systems H04H20/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/917 for bandwidth reduction

Abstract

Example apparatus and methods concern managing the encoding and storing of game clips that are automatically generated to record video game highlights. Encoding game clips for smooth streaming using adaptive bit rates requires significant processing resources and storing the multiple bit rate encodings consumes significant storage. Therefore, example apparatus and methods compute a predicted popularity for a game clip based on user factors (e.g., status), video game factors (e.g., popularity), game clip factors (e.g., importance of event, uniqueness of event), or other factors. Predicted popularity may differ from actual popularity, therefore the popularity score may be recomputed using actual observations (e.g., number of views of the game clip). Additionally, actual observations may identify correlations between the factors used to predict popularity and the factors that actually determine popularity. Therefore, the prediction function may be dynamically updated to improve the prediction function and thus to improve the user experience.

Claims

1. A method performed in a computerized game console operating in an online video game environment, comprising:

accessing an electronic video recording that was automatically generated by a computerized game console in response to a video game action performed by a user of a video game;

preparing the electronic video recording for progressive download by another computer;

computing, in the computerized game console, a first electronic score that represents a predicted popularity of the electronic video recording, where the first electronic score is computed as a function of one or more factors including a first factor associated with the user, a second factor associated with the video game, or a third factor associated with the electronic video recording;

and

upon determining that the first electronic score exceeds a popularity threshold and that a content storage threshold has not been exceeded;

encoding, in the computerized game console, the electronic video recording into an encoded electronic video recording suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming, and

storing the encoded electronic video recording in a content delivery network available to users of the online video game environment, where the content delivery network stores the electronic video recording in encoded form in a distributed cloud environment,

where the first factor is a number of people who follow the user, a progress level achieved by the user for the video game, a reputation of the user, a number of people the user follows, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in the video game, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in video games related to the video game, a period of time the user has been involved with the online video game environment, a period of time the user has played the video game, a period of time the user has played video games related to the video game, a popularity of another electronic video recording generated in response to an act by the user, a privacy level of the user, a popularity of the user, or a status in the online video game environment of the user,

where the second factor is a number of users who play the video game, a number of hours the video game has been played, an age of the video game, a popularity of the video game, a current number of electronic video recordings that exist for the video game, a genre of the video game, a number of triggered video capture moments defined for the video game, a data platform event that occurs during the video game, whether the video game was played in single player mode, whether the video game was played in multi-player mode, or an amount of downloadable content available for the video game, and

where the third factor is a rating of the electronic video recording, a number of times the electronic video recording was rated, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed via progressive download, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query and not watched, a content of the electronic video recording, a time at which the electronic video recording was last watched, a number of times the event that triggered automatically generating the electronic video recording has occurred, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the video game, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the user, whether the electronic video recording was generated during single player play, whether the electronic video recording was generated during multi-player play, a number of players involved in a multi-player session when the electronic video recording was generated, a length of the electronic video recording, and a time at which the electronic video generated.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

updating the first factor to produce an updated first factor,

updating the second factor to produce an updated second factor,

updating the third factor to produce an updated third factor;

computing a second electronic score representing an actual popularity of the electronic video recording, where the second electronic score is computed as a function of the updated first factor, the updated second factor, or the updated third factor;

upon determining that the second electronic score is less than a removal threshold and that the electronic video recording was encoded as an encoded electronic video recording and stored in the content delivery network, removing the encoded electronic video recording from the content delivery network; and

upon determining that the second electronic score is greater than an encoding threshold and that the electronic video recording was not encoded as an encoded electronic video recording, encoding the electronic video recording as an encoded electronic video recording suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming and storing the encoded electronic video recording in the content delivery network.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

updating the first factor, the second factor, or the third factor and computing the second electronic score in response to;

the electronic video recording being viewed a threshold number of times, a time period expiring, an age of the electronic video recording passing an age threshold, the video game having been purchased more than a purchase threshold number of times, the user crossing a popularity threshold, the user crossing a skill threshold, the user crossing a score threshold, or the user crossing an experience threshold.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising updating the function for computing the first electronic score if the second electronic score differs from the first electronic score by more than a difference threshold, where updating the function for computing the first electronic score includes adding a first factor, removing a first factor, changing the relative importance of a first factor, adding a second factor, removing a second factor, changing the relative importance of a second factor, adding a third factor, removing a third factor, or changing the relative importance of a third factor.

5. The method of claim 2, comprising identifying a set of the N most popular encoded electronic video recordings, N being an integer greater than two, identifying a set of users responsible for creation of the set of most popular encoded electronic video recordings, and providing a reward associated with an online video game system to members of the set of users.

6. The method of claim 5, where the reward is additional storage in the online video game environment, recognition in the online video game environment, status in the online video game environment, a unique virtual item for use in the online video game environment, or a download code to access private content in the online video game environment.

8. The method of claim 2, where the popularity threshold is an absolute threshold and where all automatically generated electronic video recordings associated with the video game that exceed the popularity threshold are encoded as encoded electronic video recordings suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming and stored in the content delivery network, or

where the popularity threshold is a relative threshold and where an electronic video recording whose first electronic score is higher than the second electronic score associated with a member of a set of highest rated encoded electronic video recordings will be stored in the set of highest rated encoded electronic video recordings in place of the member of the set of highest rated encoded electronic video recordings.

9. The method of claim 8, where the popularity threshold is computed as a function of the popularity of the video game and where an amount of storage for storing encoded electronic video recordings associated with the video game is determined by the popularity of the video game.

10. The method of claim 1, where the function for computing the first electronic score is customized on a per video game basis.

11. The method of claim 2, comprising:

in response to a viewing of the electronic video recording or the encoded electronic video recording, updating an evidence data store that stores information for understanding correlations between factors used to compute the first electronic score and factors that contribute more than a contribution threshold amount to the second electronic score; and

in response to detecting a correlation change in the evidence data store;

computing the second electronic score, and

updating the function for computing the first electronic score.

7. The method of claim where the function for computing the first electronic score is solely a function of one or more first factors including a friend graph data or is solely a function of one or more second factors.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by a computer control the computer to perform a method, the method comprising:

accessing an electronic video recording that was automatically generated by a computerized game console operating in an online video game environment in response to a video game action performed by a user of a video game in an online video game environment;

preparing the electronic video recording for progressive download;

computing a first electronic score that represents a predicted popularity of the electronic video recording, where the first electronic score is computed as a function of a first factor associated with the user, a second factor associated with the video game, or a third factor associated with the electronic video recording; and

upon determining that the first electronic score exceeds a popularity threshold and that a content storage threshold has not been exceeded;

encoding the electronic video recording into an encoded electronic video recording suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming, and

storing the encoded electronic video recording in a content delivery network available to users of the online video game environment, where the content delivery network stores the electronic video recording in encoded form in a distributed cloud environment,

where the first factor is a number of people who follow the user, a progress level achieved by the user for the video game, a reputation of the user, a number of people the user follows, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in the video game, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in video games related to the video game, a period of time the user has been involved with the online video game environment, a period of time the user has played the video game, a period of time the user has played video games related to the video game, a popularity of another electronic video recording generated in response to an act by the user, a privacy level of the user, a popularity of the user, or a status in the online video game environment of the user,

where the second factor is a number of users who play the video game, a number of hours the video game has been played, an age of the video game, a popularity of the video game, a current number of electronic video recordings that exist for the video game, a genre of the video game, a number of triggered video capture moments defined for the video game, a data platform event that occurs during the video game, whether the video game was played in single player mode, whether the video game was played in multi-player mode, or an amount of down loadable content available for the video game, and

where the third factor is a rating of the electronic video recording, a number of times the electronic video recording was rated, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed via progressive download, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query and not watched, a content of the electronic video recording, a time at which the electronic video recording was last watched, a number of times the event that triggered automatically generating the electronic video recording has occurred, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the video game, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the user, whether the electronic video recording was generated during single player play, whether the electronic video recording was generated during multi-player play, a number of players involved in a multi-player session when the electronic video recording was generated, a length of the electronic video recording, and a time at which the electronic video recording was generated,

in response to the electronic video recording being viewed a threshold number of times, a time period expiring, an age of the electronic video recording passing an age threshold, the video game having been purchased more than a purchase threshold number of times, the user crossing a popularity threshold, the user crossing a skill threshold, the user crossing a score threshold, or the user crossing an experience threshold;

updating the first factor to produce an updated first factor;

updating the second factor to produce an updated second factor;

updating the third factor to produce an updated third factor;

computing a second electronic score representing an actual popularity of the electronic video recording, where the second electronic score is computed as a function of the updated first factor, the updated second factor, or the updated third factor;

upon determining that the second electronic score is less than a removal threshold and that the electronic video recording was encoded as an encoded electronic video recording and stored in the content delivery network, removing the encoded electronic video recording from the content delivery network; and

upon determining that the second electronic score is greater than an encoding threshold and that the electronic video recording was not encoded as an encoded electronic video recording, encoding the electronic video recording as an encoded electronic video recording suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming and storing the encoded electronic video recording in the content delivery network;

selectively updating the function for computing the first electronic score if the second electronic score differs from the first electronic score by more than a difference threshold, where updating the function for computing the first electronic score includes adding a first factor, removing a first factor, changing the relative importance of a first factor, adding a second factor, removing a second factor, changing the relative importance of a second factor, adding a third factor, removing a third factor, or changing the relative importance of a third factor; and

identifying a set of the N most popular encoded electronic video recordings, N being an integer greater than two, identifying a set of users responsible for creation of the set of most popular encoded electronic video recordings, and providing a reward associated with the online video game system to members of the set of users.

13. A method performed in a computerized game console operating in an online video game environment, comprising:

accessing an electronic video recording that was automatically generated by the computerized game console in response to a video game action performed by a user of a video game played on the computerized game console;

computing, in the computerized game console, a first electronic score that represents a predicted popularity of the electronic video recording, where the first electronic score is computed as a function of one or more factors including a first factor associated with the user, a second factor associated with the video game, or a third factor associated with the electronic video recording;

upon determining that the first electronic score does not exceed a popularity threshold;

preparing the electronic video recording for progressive download by another computer, and

storing the prepared electronic video recording in a content delivery network available to users of the online video game environment; and

upon determining that the first electronic score exceeds a popularity threshold and that a content storage threshold has not been exceeded;

encoding, in the computerized game console, the electronic video recording into an encoded electronic video recording suitable for smooth streaming via adaptive bit rate streaming, and

storing the encoded electronic video recording in a content delivery network available to users of the online video game environment, where the content delivery network stores the electronic video recording in encoded form in a distributed cloud environment,

where the first factor is a number of people who follow the user, a progress level achieved by the user for the video game, a reputation of the user, a number of people the user follows, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in the video game, a percentage of achievements the user has earned in video games related to the video game, a period of time the user has been involved with the online video game environment, a period of time the user has played the video game, a period of time the user has played video games related to the video game, a popularity of another electronic video recording generated in response to an act by the user, a privacy level of the user, a popularity of the user, or a status in the online video game environment of the user,

where the second factor is a number of users who play the video game, a number of hours the video game has been played, an age of the video game, a popularity of the video game, a current number of electronic video recordings that exist for the video game, a genre of the video game, a number of triggered video capture moments defined for the video game, a data platform event that occurs during the video game, whether the video game was played in single player mode, whether the video game was played in multi-player mode, or an amount of down-loadable content available for the video game, and

where the third factor is a rating of the electronic video recording, a number of times the electronic video recording was rated, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed, a number of times the electronic video recording was viewed via progressive download, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query, a number of times the electronic video recording was returned in a query and not watched, a content of the electronic video recording, a time at which the electronic video recording was last watched, a number of times the event that triggered automatically generating the electronic video recording has occurred, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the video game, whether the electronic video recording was generated by the user, whether the electronic video recording was generated during single player play, whether the electronic video recording was generated during multi-player play, a number of players involved in a multi-player session when the electronic video recording was generated, a length of the electronic video recording, and a time at which the electronic video recording was generated.