Managing users in a multi-user network game environment
US7711847B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99936
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A multi-user online application network computing configuration maintains application level information at a portal or lobby server, rather than at each individual application server or host machine. Users can therefore learn about and select a desired application, such as an online game, through communication with the lobby server. After appropriate authorization processing, users can contact the associated application server, such as a game host, to begin their participation. The lobby server can therefore reduce the bandwidth requirements and other operating demands on the application server. In addition, cross-application communications in real-time are facilitated through the lobby server concept. The multi-user application environment also provides a common data model for maintaining user information, such as for establishing a ladder ranking system in the online gaming context in which user achievements are recorded and shared among users and among the different game applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.