U.S. Patent No. 8,764,555: Video game application state synchronization across multiple devices
Issued Jul. 1, 2014, to Nextbit Systems Inc.
Summary:
The ‘555 patent deals with the issue of synchronized gaming. It covers a method that initially runs a game on one device, then, after detecting another device within a certain proximity and having the same game installed, can transfer the current place in game to a secondary device. The saved game data is transferred between devices, allowing a player to pick up where she left off on any synchronized device.
Abstract:
Techniques for a method for automatically synchronizing application state of a video game across multiple devices are disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of the video game application at a first electronic device, detecting a presence of a second electronic device based on a proximity of the second electronic device to the first electronic device, identifying an installation of another instance of the video game application on the second electronic device, saving a current state of play of the instance of the video game application running on the first electronic device and transmitting the application state data to the second electronic device. The application state data of the video game application enables another instance of the video game application to resume the current state of play of the video game application at the second electronic device.
Illustrative Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
running an instance of a video game application at a first electronic device, wherein the first electronic device belongs to a group of electronic devices associated with a user;
detecting a presence of a second electronic device based on a proximity of the second electronic device to the first electronic device, the second electronic device belonging to the group of electronic devices;
identifying an installation of another instance of the video game application or another video game application similar to the video game application on the second electronic device;
saving a current state of play of the instance of the video game application running on the first electronic device, the saving of the current state of play being performed utilizing an in-game save feature included within the videogame application, wherein the in-game save feature saves an application state data representing the current state of play of the instance of the videogame application running on the first electronic device; and
transmitting the application state data to the second electronic device, wherein the application state data of the video game application enables another instance of the video game application to resume the current state of play of the video game application at the second electronic device.
