13w ago - Today an online Sony
patent has surfaced that outlines a method to award
PS3 Trophies based on disc access, possibly to be used with the upcoming PlayStation 4 / PS4 console as well.
Below are the details, as follows: Called "Method and Apparatus for awarding trophies", the patent explains a way to award trophies, even for games that don't natively support them...
"A method and apparatus for adding trophy support games that do not have trophies without modifying the original game," the patent states.
"The method and apparatus are used to detect particular disk access, use the detected disk access as potential trophy triggers in games, and recognize the triggers while a game is played. Trophies are awarded based on the triggers, and the awarded trophies are stored."
The diagram below also gives an idea of how it works:
"A method for assigning one or more trophies to a user, comprising: accessing media content; defining one or more trophies; defining a trigger associated with the media content; detecting the trigger during media content access; and assigning the one or more trophies to a user account that is associated with the user in response to the detected trigger."
What is Claimed
1. A method for assigning one or more trophies to a user, comprising: accessing media content; defining one or more trophies; defining a trigger associated with the media content; detecting the trigger during media content access; and assigning the one or more trophies to a user account that is associated with the user in response to the detected trigger.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined trigger includes accessing a particular sector on a disk that stores the media content.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined trigger includes accessing a plurality of sectors in a particular sequence.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined trigger includes accessing a plurality of sectors in a particular sequence based on previous triggered disk access.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: storing trophies that have been assigned in a database.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein each of the one or more trophies is assigned to a single user.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein when a sequence of triggers is required to trigger a trophy, partially earned trophies are stored in the database.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: analyzing content of the disk media and in-game disk reading patterns to produce a palette of potential trophy triggers, using semi-automated tools.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the produced palette of potential trophy triggers is used to define the set of trophies.
10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: scanning the content of the disk; and identifying the file format, thereby making the content viewable in a tool.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user views the files and selects a trophy trigger among a plurality of potential trophy triggers.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the file names on the disk determine a corresponding file.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user defines a trigger by actuating a command at a particular time during media content access when tracking in-game disk reading patterns.
14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: identifying a potential trigger by analyzing the disk reading patterns for unique sectors accessed within a predetermined time period of displaying a trophy.
Background
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a system and method of awarding trophies in previously released or sold video games, without modifying the original game. More specifically, the present invention relates to defining, detecting and awarding a set of trophies for the players of the previously released games.
2. Background Discussion
Generally, trophies are an important part of modern gaming. However, often, older games do not have the capability to award trophies to player. In order to enhance the gaming experience, it would be desirable to be able to award trophies to users playing older games that were not introduced with the trophy feature.
Summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for assigning one or more trophies for an existing game, or title, to a user.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of for assigning one or more trophies to a user. The method includes accessing media content and defining one or more trophies. A trigger associated with the media content is defined and the trigger is detected during media content access. One or more trophies are assigned to a user account that is associated with the user in response to the detected trigger.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the defined trigger includes accessing a particular sector on a disk that stores the media content.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the defined trigger includes accessing a plurality of sectors in a particular sequence.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above which the defined trigger includes accessing a plurality of sectors in a particular sequence based on previous triggered disk access.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above further includes storing trophies that have been assigned in a database.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which each of the one or more trophies is assigned to a single user.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which when a sequence of triggers is required to trigger a trophy, partially earned trophies are stored in the database.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above further includes analyzing content of the disk media and in-game disk reading patterns to produce a palette of potential trophy triggers, using semi-automated tools.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the produced palette of potential trophy triggers is used to define the set of trophies.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above further includes scanning the content of the disk, and identifying the file format. Thus, making the content viewable in a tool.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the user views the files and selects a trophy trigger among a plurality of potential trophy triggers.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the file names on the disk determine a corresponding file.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above in which the user defines a trigger by actuating a command at a particular time during media content access when tracking in-game disk reading patterns.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the method of assigning one or more trophies described above further includes identifying a potential trigger by analyzing the disk reading patterns for unique sectors accessed within a predetermined time period of displaying a trophy.
Other embodiments of the present invention include the methods described above but implemented using apparatus or programmed as computer code to be executed by one or more processors operating in conjunction with one or more electronic storage media.
This patent was filed in September last year and was published today. Here's a diagram of the thing.
PS3 OFW 4.45 is out, but beware as it is causing a lot of consoles (mine included) to brick!
More info:
http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/Pla...
For example, many games play FMVs as you advance. With this patent they could add trophies to PS2 classics that are awarded when certain videos play.