At Google I/O 2014, gaming was a key component. Google noted that "Google Play games" is now the fastest growing mobile game network of all time. The Verge also noted during their live coverage of Google I/O that Google introduced a new game profile and ways to save games in the cloud which segues to one of Google's latest patent applications. Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent about a future universal Smart Gamepad or controller that works with Google's cloud services. Google's patent application focuses in on a wide overview of the system behind the gamepad.
Google's Patent Background
Traditional game controllers are merely accessories of various gaming consoles and are not capable of storing gaining account information/data and communicating stored gaming account information/data with other devices, such as game console units, gaming servers, or the like. As a result, the conventional gaming experience typically is limited to the boundaries of a particular game console. Currently, it is impossible for a user to log in to multiple different gaming consoles with their unique game controller in order play a game individually or with other players.
Google Invents a Smart Gamepad
Google's patent relates to a smart gamepad that includes a method for logging into a user gaming account that may include connecting with a host game console and receiving a login code at a game controller from the host game console. The login code may be encrypted with a combination key and the encrypted login code may be sent to the host game console. Additionally, user gaming account data may be provided to the host game console.
Another aspect of this invention relates to a method for receiving user gaming account data that may include connecting to a game controller and connecting to a game server. A login code for a gaming account login may be received from the game server and the login code may be sent to the game controller. Next, an encrypted login code that has been encrypted with a combination key may be received from the game controller. The encrypted login code may then be sent to the game server. As a result, user gaming account data may be received from the game controller.
As an example, the user may take their previously set up game controller to a friend's house. Once the user's game controller is within a wireless protocol range from his friend's game console, the user's game controller may connect with his friend's game console, such as by Bluetooth connection. The game console may connect with the game server, and the game server may then send a login code for gaming account login. The host game console may then provide a login screen indicating that the login process is in progress. The game controller may encrypt the login code with the combination key.
For example, the combination key may be stored at the game controller that was previously verified by the game server during the initial set up process. The game controller may send the encrypted login code to the game server, directly or by way of the game console. The game server may verify the encrypted login code. For example, the game server may verify the encrypted login code by verifying that the combination key matches the combination key previously stored during the initial set up process. If the encrypted login code is correctly verified, the game server may then log in to the user's gaming account and send a notification of successful login. As a result, the game controller may provide the user's gaming account data to his friend's game console. If however, the encrypted login code is not correctly verified, the game server may not log into the user gaming account and may re-start the log in process and send a new login code for gaming account login.
A host game console may be any interactive entertainment system or computer such as a set-top box, mobile device, PC, laptop, tablet, television, game machine, or the like. More specifically, Google notes that the game controller may also connect with a variety of types of gaming consoles, such as consoles from different manufacturers, and allow access to a user's gaming account info at each host console with which the controller is paired. Once logged in, the host game console is provided with the user's gaming account information which may be stored on the user's game controller. Gaming account information may include a user's name, photo, gaming credits, game progress, avatar, and other personal preferences.
For example, a social gaming session may allow for multiple users, each having their own unique personal game controller, to connect with and login to a host game console and play a game together. In this regard, each user's gaming account information is provided to the host game console thereby enhancing the gaming experience.
Google's patent FIG. 4 noted below presents a flowchart of information flow (Click on the Image Below to Enlarge).
Google's patent Figure 7 noted below illustrates a Network Configuration.
Google didn't provide any patent figures that would give us a clue as to what the gamepad could eventually look like. That may one day show up as a design patent. For now we're in the dark.
Google's patent application which was published today was originally filed back in January 2013. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
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