Methods and apparatus for optimized pausing of an embedded application to render pop-up window

• US 9,021,390 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Pidhajecky, Damon Stefan Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Durkin, James T
• Application Number:
  US12/774,647
• Time in Patent Office: 1,819 Days
• Field of Search: 715/760, 715/764, 715/808, 463/42
• US Class Current: 715/808
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44526 Plug-ins; Add-ons
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

Methods and systems executing an embedded application within the context of a first client application are provided. One method includes executing application logic to adjust states of one or more display objects and rendering one or more of the one or more display objects that are associated with a stage definition in a display region of the first client application. In response to a trigger event, the method causes the first application to generate a interface component, such as a pop-up, in the display region and pausing the rendering of the embedded application. The pausing includes generating a static image based on the states of the one or more display objects associated with the stage definition, associating the static image with the stage definition and disassociating the one or more display objects from the stage definition.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

by one or more computing devices,

executing an embedded application within the context of a first client application, wherein executing the embedded application comprises;

executing application logic to adjust states of one or more display objects;

rendering the one or more display objects that are associated with a stage definition in a display region of the first client application, the rendering is configured to process the one or more display objects ordered in a hierarchy structure of game object definitions, wherein the one or more display objects change based on changes to scenes being rendered and continuing to process the display objects of the hierarchy structure during the rendering of the scenes;

in response to a trigger event, causing the first application to generate an interface component in the display region and pausing the rendering of the embedded application by;

generating a bitmap image to define a static image based on the states of the one or more display objects associated with the stage definition;

associating the static image with the stage definition; and

disassociating the one or more display objects from the stage definition while maintaining the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects in memory,

the embedded application is configured to stop processing the one or more display objects during a time period of disassociation,

wherein during the time period disassociation the stage definition is not associated with the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects and is instead associated with the static image which causes the rendering to cease processing; and

resuming the rendering of the embedded application by associating the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects maintained in memory with the stage definition; and

disassociating the static image from the stage definition, which causes the rendering to resume processing using the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects, without reconstructing the hierarchy at resume of the embedded application.

2. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the application logic is executed while the interface component is displayed.

3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the interface component is generated within the context of the first client application and outside the context of the embedded application.

4. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising, if there is any rendering conflict in connection with the rendering of the embedded application when the trigger event occurs, then clearing the rendering conflict before generating the static image.

5. A system, comprising:

a memory comprising instructions executable by one or more processors; and

one or more processors coupled to the memory and operable to execute the instructions, the one or more processors being operable when executing the instructions to;

execute an embedded application within the context of a first client application, wherein to execute the embedded application comprises;

execute application logic to adjust states of one or more display objects;

render the one or more display objects that are associated with a stage definition in a display region of the first client application, the rendering is configured to process the one or more display objects ordered in a hierarchy structure of game object definitions, wherein the one or more display objects change based on changes to scenes being rendered and continuing to process the display objects of the hierarchy structure during the rendering of the scenes;

in response to a trigger event, cause the first application to generate an interface component in the display region and pausing the rendering of the embedded application by;

generate a bitmap image to define a static image based on the states of the one or more display objects associated with the stage definition;

associate the static image with the stage definition; and

disassociate the one or more display objects from the stage definition while maintaining the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects in memory,

the embedded application is configured to stop processing the one or more display objects during a time period of disassociation wherein during the time period disassociation the stage definition is not associated with the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects and is instead associated with the static image which causes the rendering to cease processing;

wherein rendering of the embedded application is resumed by associating the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of one or more display objects maintained in memory with the stage definition, and disassociating the static image from the stage definition, which causes the rendering to resume processing using the hierarchy structure of game object definitions of the one or more display objects, without reconstructing the hierarchy at resume of the embedded application.

6. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the application logic is executed while the interface component is displayed.

7. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the interface component is generated within the context of the first client application and outside the context of the embedded application.

8. The system recited in claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are further operable when executing the instructions to, if there is any rendering conflict in connection with the rendering of the embedded application when the trigger event occurs, then clear the rendering conflict before generating the static image.