Operational management of multi-media gaming devices

• US 9,795,883 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Musial, John G., Nagpal, Abhinay R., Patil, Sandeep R., Ramanathan, Sri
• Primary Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US12/786,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,709 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5566 by matching opponents or finding partners to build a team, e.g. by skill level, geographical area, background, play style
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history

Abstract

Operational management of a multi-media system includes assessing end user performance with respect to operation of a multi-media device in the multi-media system. Upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, the operational management further includes identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the multi-media device and/or operations of another multi-media device in the multi-media system that is engaged in a media activity concurrent with the end user of the multi-media device.

Claims

1. A method for operational management of a multi-media system, comprising:

assessing, in the multi-media system, end user performance with respect to operation of a first multi-media device by a first end user relative to an end user performance associated with operation of a second multi-media device by a second end user, the assessing end user performance includes determining a current physical condition of the first end user, comprising;

monitoring sensor data from a biometric sensor device communicatively coupled to the first multi-media device and the first end user, the sensor data specifying biometric information of the first end user during operation of the first multi-media device;

monitoring control key pressure data comprising data indicative of a pressure being applied to a control key by the first end user of the first multi-media device;

mapping the sensor data and the control key pressure data to a function of a controller of the first multi-media device, the function performed by the first end user via the controller; and

evaluating relationships between the function performed and combined sensor data and control key pressure data to derive the current physical condition; and

upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance of the first end user exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the first multi-media device and modifications to the operation of the second multi-media device in the multi-media system, the second end user of the second multi-media device engaged in a media activity concurrent with the first end user of the first multi-media device;

displaying at least one reward offered to a team member associated with the first end user via a multi-media device of the team member, the team member identified as a candidate for implementing a task for re-assignment via the accommodation options identified in response to assessing the end user performance of the first end user; and

storing the at least one reward in a record of the team member who is offered the at least one reward upon acceptance of the task for re-assignment, wherein the team member is the second end user and the modifications to the second multi-media device are implemented in response to the re-assignment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein assessing the end user performance of the first end user includes:

retrieving historical sensor data acquired via the biometric sensor device and historical performance data for the first end user; and

calculating the performance value as a function of a combination of the current physical condition, the historical sensor data and the historical performance data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined threshold value is a programmable value input by the first end user to the first multi-media device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the at least one reward includes displaying the at least one reward in response to approval of the at least one reward by a team leader charged with having decision control over team members, the team members including the team member identified as the candidate for implementing the task for re-assignment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one reward comprises at least one of:

bonus points; and

enhanced functions during execution of a gaming application.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric information of the first end user includes at least one of:

pulse rate;

blood pressure;

body temperature;

pH level; and

motion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined threshold value is a static value defined by the multi-media system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one reward comprises immunity from tasks.

9. An apparatus for operational management of a multi-media system, comprising:

a computer processor; and

logic executing on the computer processor, the logic implementing a method, comprising;

assessing, in the multi-media system, end user performance with respect to operation of a first multi-media device by a first end user relative to an end user performance associated with operation of a second multi-media device by a second end user, the assessing end user performance includes determining a current physical condition of the first end user, comprising;

monitoring sensor data from a biometric sensor device communicatively coupled to the first multi-media device and the first end user, the sensor data specifying biometric information of the first end user during operation of the first multi-media device;

monitoring control key pressure data comprising data indicative of a pressure being applied to a control key by the first end user of the first multi-media device;

mapping the sensor data and the control key pressure data to a function of a controller of the first multi-media device, the function performed by the first end user via the controller; and

evaluating relationships between the function performed and combined sensor data and control key pressure data to derive the current physical condition; and

upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance of the first multi-media device exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the first multi-media device and modifications to the operation of the second multi-media device in the multi-media system, the second end user of the second multi-media device engaged in a media activity concurrent with the first end user of the first multi-media device;

displaying at least one reward offered to a team member associated with the first end user via a multi-media device of the team member, the team member identified as a candidate for implementing a task for re-assignment via the accommodation options identified in response to assessing the end user performance of the first end user; and

storing the at least one reward in a record of the team member who is offered the at least one reward upon acceptance of the task for re-assignment, wherein the team member is the second end user and the modifications to the second multi-media device are implemented in response to the re-assignment.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein assessing the end user performance of the first end user includes:

retrieving historical sensor data acquired from the biometric sensor device and historical performance data for the first end user; and

calculating the performance value as a function of a combination of the current physical condition, the historical sensor data and the historical performance data.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pre-defined threshold value is at least one of:

a programmable value input by the first end user to the first multi-media device; and

a static value defined by the multi-media system.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein displaying the at least one reward includes displaying the at least one reward in response to approval of the at least one reward by a team leader charged with having decision control over team members, the team members including the team member identified as the candidate for implementing the task for re-assignment.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one reward comprises at least one of:

bonus points;

immunity from tasks; and

enhanced functions during execution of a gaming application.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the biometric information includes at least one of:

pulse rate;

blood pressure;

body temperature;

pH level; and

motion.

15. A computer program product for operational management of a multi-media system, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement a method, the method comprising:

assessing, in the multi-media system, end user performance with respect to operation of a first multi-media device by a first end user relative to an end user performance associated with operation of a second multi-media device by a second end user, the assessing end user performance includes determining a current physical condition of the first end user, comprising;

monitoring sensor data from a biometric sensor device communicatively coupled to the first multi-media device and the first end user, the sensor data specifying biometric information of the first end user during operation of the first multi-media device;

monitoring control key pressure data comprising data indicative of a pressure being applied to a control key by the first end user of the first multi-media device;

mapping the sensor data and the control key pressure data to a function of a controller of the first multi-media device, the function performed by the first end user via the controller; and

evaluating relationships between the function performed and combined sensor data and control key pressure data to derive the current physical condition; and

upon determining a performance value derived from assessment of the end user performance of the first multi-media device exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, identifying accommodation options that specify modifications to the operation of the first multi-media device and modifications to the operation of the other multi-media device in the multi-media system, the second end user of the second multi-media device is engaged in a media activity concurrent with the first end user of the multi-media device;

displaying at least one reward offered to a team member associated with the first end user via a multi-media device of the team member, the team member identified as a candidate for implementing a task for re-assignment via the accommodation options identified in response to assessing the end user performance of the first end user; and

storing the at least one reward in a record of the team member who is offered the at least one reward upon acceptance of the task for re-assignment, wherein the team member is the second end user and the modifications to the second multi-media device is implemented in response to the re-assignment.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein assessing the end user performance of the first end user includes:

retrieving historical sensor data acquired from the biometric sensor device and historical performance data for the first end user; and

calculating the performance value as a function of a combination of the current physical condition, the historical sensor data and the historical performance data.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the pre-defined threshold value is at least one of:

a programmable value input by the first end user to the first multi-media device; and

a static value defined by the multi-media system.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein displaying the at least one reward includes displaying the at least one reward in response to approval of the at least one reward by a team leader charged with having decision control over team members, the team members including the team member identified as the candidate for implementing the task for re-assignment.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the at least one reward comprises at least one of:

bonus points;

immunity from tasks; and

enhanced functions during execution of a gaming application.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the biometric information includes at least one of:

pulse rate;

blood pressure;

body temperature;

pH level; and

motion.