KR20100118975A - System and method for targeted recommendations using social gaming networks - Google Patents

Abstract

A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed that target a recommendation to a first user in an online multiplayer game environment based on tracked data of a second user having a relationship with a first user in an online multiplayer game environment. . In addition to the general systems, methods, and computer-readable media for such a recommendation, this recommendation may be further subdivided by including information about the first user, including how the first user accesses the online multiplayer gaming environment.

Description

System and method for targeting referrals using social gaming networks {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETED RECOMMENDATIONS USING SOCIAL GAMING NETWORKS}

Online multiplayer services for video games, such as the Xbox LIVE® service (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington), allow gamers to play each other anywhere in the world. Online multiplayer services allow users to interact with each other within a game service.

Electronic commerce systems strive to connect users to items and / or services that may be of interest to the user. For example, the e-commerce system may present recommendations, suggestions, related items and / or services, etc. to the user. It is also possible to present a contextual advertisement to a user similar to showing an item or service.

Such electronic commerce systems generally make recommendations based on the user's purchase / view history, clustering of purchases made by others on the site, recommendations made by strangers to the user, and the like. However, these conventional recommendation techniques do not make use of the unique information available to the environment of the online multiplayer game service, which captures the features of the natural social network generated in the online multiplayer game service. Targeted recommendations can be improved by using this unique information about the relationship of users with the same tastes.

The disclosed methods and systems utilize the preferences of users in an online multiplayer gaming environment and natural social-networking relationships between the users to provide recommendations such as electronic commerce recommendations. For illustrative purposes, a first user and a second user may be connected to an online multiplayer gaming environment. Once connected, users can interact with the game environment and / or interact with each other within the game environment.

Activity representing the relationship between the first user and the second user may be tracked. This activity may represent interaction between a first user and a second user in an online multiplayer game environment. For example, a first user and a second user may play a game together, list each other on a friend list in a game environment, participate in a common online chat within the game environment, and the like. Users can send game data to each other, play the same instance of the same game, send text, audio or video communications between each other, and the like.

An e-commerce preference of the second user may be received. E-commerce preferences may be associated with products and / or services purchased and / or used by a second user. For example, e-commerce preferences may be associated with a game that a second user regularly plays within the gaming environment.

To determine the recommendation for the first user, the activity between the first user and the second user as well as the e-commerce preferences of the second user can be used. This recommendation may be sent to the first user in a format compatible with the first user's access device. For example, the access device may include a game console, and the recommendation may include a link to a recommendation product, such as a downloadable game in the gaming environment.

Because first and second users can have established relationships within the natural social network of an online multiplayer gaming environment, these users are more likely to have common interests, hobbies, beliefs, values, and the like. Thus, a recommendation based on a preference of a second user is more likely to be more relevant to the first user and more effective in associating the first user with a desired product and / or service.

Since the above is a summary, it includes simplification, generalization, and omission of details as necessary. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting.

Further reference is made to the accompanying drawings for systems, methods and computer-readable media for making recommendations to users of an online multiplayer game service through a computerized gaming environment based on user behavior and social networks, in accordance with the present disclosure. Explain.
1 illustrates an example system for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online-multiplayer gaming network.
2 illustrates an example system for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online multiplayer game network.
3 illustrates an example operational procedure for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online multiplayer game network.
4 is a block diagram of an example computer network environment suitable for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online multiplayer game network.
5 is a block diagram illustrating an example game console that may be included within a computer network environment.
6 is a block diagram of an example computing environment that may be included within a computer network environment.
7 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a processor.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and drawings to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the details set forth below. Although various methods are described in the following disclosure with reference to steps and sequences, this description is by itself intended to provide a clear implementation of embodiments of the invention, where the steps and sequences of steps are required. It should not be seen as. 1, 2 and 4-7 illustrate operating environments in which operating procedures may be performed. 3 illustrates an exemplary operating procedure.

1 illustrates making a recommendation 122 using data in a social network within an online multiplayer gaming environment 100. The system includes a computing network 108 that connects a game server 102, an e-commerce server 104, a recommendation server 106, an access device 112 of a first user, and an access device 116 of a second user. It includes. The game server 102, the e-commerce server 104, and the recommendation server 106 may reside on one physical computing device or a plurality of computing devices. Similarly, an online multiplayer gaming environment may include one computing server or a plurality of such servers networked together.

Access devices 112 and 116 are computing devices that users 110 and 114 can use to connect to the online multiplayer gaming environment 100. This includes a dedicated video game console, a general purpose computer configured to play games online, a portable digital media player configured to play simple games, a cellular telephone or personal data assistant configured to play simple games, and the like. It may include. Through access devices 112 and 116, users 110 and 114 can access the online multiplayer gaming environment 100 and participate in activities in that environment.

The online multiplayer game environment 100 is an environment that includes services that allow users to interact with each other. For example, users play games with other users, chat with other users (both in real time and asynchronously) through audio, video, and text, post to message boards, watch audio or video, It may otherwise participate in the services provided by that service. As a result of users interacting through the environment, social networks can be formed. Social networks are linked by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as values, visions, ways of thinking, financial exchanges, friends, relatives, aversions, confrontations, transactions, and web links. It is a social structure made up of nodes (generally individuals or organizations). These network connections are similar to when two users post to the same message board, even when they do not explicitly send their messages to each other, such as when two users add each other to the "friends" list maintained by the server. It can be implicit as well.

One component of the online multiplayer gaming environment may be the e-commerce server 104. This provides the ability for the user to search, research and purchase items. The item may be the entire game, additional content for the game, such as a new map to play, video content, music, or the like. The ability to interface with a financial institution to transfer the amount to be paid for a purchase includes the ability to purchase an item. The e-commerce server may be a web server separate from the online multiplayer gaming environment.

Another component of the online multiplayer gaming environment may be game server 102. The game server allows the user to find other users playing the same game, establish instances of the game between each other, and enable mutual play of the game. The game server can also track things such as the user's high score, the best user in the game, tournament play, and the user's record against other users. In one embodiment, the game server helps the user find other users to play the game together, initializes the game according to the selected parameters, and then monitors all communication between the players during the game. In another embodiment, the game server helps the user find other users to play the game with, initializes the game according to the selected parameters, and then communicates with the users regardless of the game server during game play.

The e-commerce activity or preferences of the second user may be determined by items searched by the second user, items read by the second user, items reviewed by the second user, items read by the second user, and purchased by the second user. It can contain one item. Data indicative of the online activity of the first user includes games played by the first user, videos watched by the first user, content purchased by the first user, services used by the first user, and preferred language of the first user. can do. Data indicative of a preference of the second user may include a game played by the second user, a video watched by the second user, content purchased by the second user, a service used by the second user, and a preferred language of the second user. Can be.

The recommendation server 106 is configured to determine the recommendation 112 sent to the first user, as well as data 118 representing the online activity of the first user derived from the access device 112 of the first user. 2 may receive data 120 representing a preference of the second user derived from the access device 116 of the user. The recommendation server receives this data and determines from that data a recommendation that includes an item provided by a service that is likely to be of interest to the first user. This recommendation may include friends to add to the friends list, videos to watch, songs to listen to, games to play, matches to join, groups to join, and opponents to play the game. For example, the recommendation server may receive data that a friend list of the first user and a plurality of users on the friend list have downloaded a new game and may recommend the new game to the first user.

2 illustrates an example system for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online multiplayer gaming environment. The recommendation server 200 may be implemented on a general purpose computing device or a plurality of general purpose computing devices connected to each other in a network. The recommendation server may include a memory that stores first data of the activity of the first user while using the online multiplayer game environment. The data can indicate a relationship between the first user and the second user. The memory may also store second data that may indicate a preference of the second user. The recommendation server may also include a processor that can determine the recommendation based on the first data and the second data and send the recommendation to the first user.

At the recommendation server 200, which may be a component of an online multiplayer gaming environment, there is a bidirectional communication link with the first user's access device 202. The device may include a game console, a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a general purpose computer, and a portable digital music player capable of playing simple games.

While interacting with the online multi-playing game environment, the user delivers behavioral data collected by behavioral data collection component 204. This behavioral data may be the entire information conveyed by the first user to the environment, such as which section of the environment the user is watching, which video the user is watching, and which game the user plays. . Behavioral data may also be e-commerce behavior.

Behavior data is then sent from the behavior data collection component to a behavioral data cleansing and aggregation component 206. This component can determine which parts of the data are beneficial for making recommendations and deliver only that data. For example, in one embodiment, it may not be useful to make a recommendation only to know how much time a user spent viewing a particular section of the environment, and only that the user saw that section. In this case, the behavioral data cleansing and aggregation component conveys information from that data about which sections the user has viewed, not how long it took for the user to view each section.

The behavioral data cleansing and aggregation component then sends the cleansed data to a data analytics and inference engine 214. The engine, along with information from the user database 208, the item database 210, and the game database, receives this information and assigns a relative weight to each item in the item database, where the relative weight is set to zero. 1 Indicates the user may be interested in the item. The user database 208 may include a collection of users, noting which users have relationships with the first user and the nature of this relationship as well as the preference of each user with respect to the items. The item database 210 is provided by the recommendation server, such as games, videos, songs, users to be friends, and supplemental content for the game, as well as information describing each item (title, description text and preview, etc.). It may include a collection of items. The game database may include a list of games that can be played in an online multiplayer game environment and games that can be downloaded to an access device and played regardless of the environment.

The data analysis and inference engine 214 then sends its weighted results to the recommendation component 216. The recommendation component, along with the user database 208, the item database 210, and the game database 212, receives the information and uses the information to return to the first user through the first user's access device 202. You can decide what to recommend. In one embodiment, the recommendation component may return an item to the first user that the first user is most likely to want. In another embodiment, the recommendation component may return a plurality of items to the first user including those items that the user is likely to be interested in. For example, the recommendation may include a link to purchase the item, descriptive text about the item, the title of the item, a preview of the item, a review of the item, and, where appropriate, the item itself.

3 illustrates an example operational procedure for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using a social online multiplayer game network. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed process is exemplary and other implementations are contemplated.

At 300, the process flow begins. This process may be triggered in response to determining that the first user is using, for example, an online multiplayer game service.

At 302, activity of a first user within an online multiplayer game environment may be tracked. This activity may include logging in to an online multiplayer game environment and selecting the current state of the game to play, such as the game map and / or level to play. This activity may include selecting characteristics that modify game play, such as music, game options, difficulty levels, and the like. This activity may include actions that interact with other users of the online multiplayer gaming environment. For example, this activity may include online chat, collaborative game play, message posting, and the like.

This activity may indicate a relationship between the first user and the second user. For example, a first user and a second user can play each other in an online match. The first user and the second user may chat with each other. The first user and the second user can play jointly with other users. The first user and the second user may have similar game options and / or difficulty levels. The first user and the second user may be part of the same online group or team.

In one embodiment, this activity may include playing a game in which the first user and the second user confront each other. This activity may include direct audio, video and text communication between the first user and the second user. This activity may include interaction with common friends. This activity may include presenting video, music, message boards, and the like that are common to both the first user and the second user.

The tracking may include storing data about the activity in a database. The storage may include filtering data about the activity such that the data represents an interaction between the first user and the second user.

Interaction between the first user and the second user may include an explicit interaction. For example, two users can add each other to their respective friend lists, play games with each other, post to the same thread on the message board, and / or instant messaging, audio, and / Or you can talk directly to each other by video chat. Interaction between the first user and the second user may also imply a relationship. For example, these users may share a common friend, play the same game, watch the same video, log in from the same time zone, share a default preferred language, or something May have been evaluated at the same level.

Interaction between the first user and the second user is done in real time, such as during an audio or video chat session or while playing a game with each other, or the first user posts to the message board while the second user is not using the environment. And while the first user is not using the environment, it can be done asynchronously, such as when the second user later responds on the message board.

At 304, first data indicative of a preference of a second user may be received at the recommendation engine, for example. In one embodiment, the first data includes a game played by the second user, a video watched by the second user, content purchased by the second user, a service used by the second user, and a preferred language of the second user. . In addition, the preferences of the second user may include game activity of the second user in the game environment, e-commerce activity of the second user in the game environment, e-commerce activity of the second user outside the game environment, and the game. It may also include a preference expressed by any of the social activities of the second user in the environment.

The preference of the second user may be explicit. Such explicit preferences may include answering a survey, evaluating a product, message board post, video, game or user, or in favor of or against something in a vote. The preference of the second user may also be implicit. Such implicit preferences may include playing a particular game, playing a particular game frequently, watching content, and spending most of the time in a particular portion of the game environment.

The preference of the second user may come from the game system. Such preferences originating in the game system may include downloading a map for the game, playing the game with a particular user, and playing the game. The preferences of the second user may also come from outside the game system. Such preferences originating outside the game system may include searching for and purchasing products from an e-commerce site.

At 306, a recommendation based on the first data and activity can be determined. This recommendation can suggest a course of action for the first user. For example, this recommendation can recommend friends to add to the friends list, games to play, matches to join, groups to join, and opponents to play the game.

The online multiplayer gaming environment may determine a plurality of recommendations suitable for the first user. The recommendation presented to the user may be selected as the most relevant among the determined recommendations.

In one embodiment, determining the recommendation may include receiving data indicative of a preference of the first user and making a recommendation based on the preference of the first user. The preferences of the first user may help to provide better results, such as when the first user shows a strong preference from acquiring new game maps for the games he owns.

In addition, in one embodiment, the recommendation is based on any of the characteristics of the social network of the first user, the behavior of a third user connected to the first user through the second user, the characteristics of the game environment of the first user, and the like. By determining the recommendation can be determined. Additional data about the first user may help to provide better results.

The recommendation may be determined based on the communication capability of the access device associated with the first user. Access devices may include game consoles, cellular telephones, personal data assistants (PDAs), general purpose computers, and portable digital music players. For example, if the first user uses a portable digital music player with the ability to play a simple game, it may be desirable to recommend a song or a simple game-those that can be used in a portable digital music player.

In one embodiment, the recommendation can include a suggestion for a first user's course of action. This course of action may be to visit a message board with content that may be of interest to the first user, or to use the service at some time when users of similar skill levels in the game frequently play the game.

In one embodiment, determining the recommendation may be based on any of the characteristics of the social network of the first user, the behavior of a third user connected to the first user via the second user, and the characteristics of the first user's gaming environment. Can be.

In one embodiment, determining the recommendation includes determining the recommendation based on the characteristics of the social network of the second user. The characteristics of the social network of the second user may be any of the number of friends associated with the second user, feedback from other users about the second user, the behavior of the friends of the second user, and the behavior of the friends of the friends of the second user. It may include that of.

In one embodiment, this operation also includes receiving a request for a recommendation from the first user. The first user may click on a link indicating that the user wants to know which game maps are recommended for that user, or may click on a link that displays similar maps that the user may want when viewing such a map. In both of these cases, this behavior includes a request by the first user to receive a recommendation sent to an online multiplayer gaming environment.

The recommendation system uses an information filtering algorithm to determine the recommendation based on the first data regarding the activity and the preference of the second user. The information filtering algorithm may include a collaborative filtering method that adjusts a plurality of inputs from a plurality of sources to make a recommendation. For example, the information filtering algorithm may be a slope-one algorithm.

At 308, the recommendation can be sent to the first user. This recommendation may include a descriptive object. The description entity may be selected to be compatible with the communication capabilities of the first user's access device. For example, the descriptive entity may include descriptive text, a price, a title, a length, an image of a recommendation, a preview of a recommendation, an assessment of the quality level of the recommendation, an assessment of the age-approval of the recommendation, and the like.

The recommendation may include additional content. For example, if a song is recommended, a short sample of that song may be included in the recommendation. Recommendations also include song, genre information, artist information, song title, text describing the artist or photo of the album containing the song, length of the song, a sample of the music video that accompanies the song, and other descriptive objects that include such information. It may include.

This descriptive object may be selected based on the compatibility of the first user's access device. For example, the first user's access device may include a game console, a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant, a general purpose computer, and a portable digital music player. For illustrative purposes, when the first user uses a portable digital music player that has the ability to play audio files, the description entity may include audio information. Similarly, if the access device of the first user has limited communication bandwidth, the selected description entity may have a complementary small storage size. In one embodiment, the recommendation may be sent to the first user in response to a request for a recommendation from the first user. The first user does not want to receive an unsolicited recommendation, but may welcome the recommendation when initiating the process.

In one embodiment, the recommendation can include a link to the product. For example, the link may be a hyperlink according to hypertext markup language (HTML), eXtensible markup language (XML), or the like. This link may facilitate the purchase of products and / or services in accordance with the recommendation.

4 illustrates an example computer network that may include aspects of media reliability. Computers 400a-400e may host various computing objects, such as games or other applications. While this physical environment shows connected devices as computers, these examples are illustrative only and may include various digital devices and processors, such as PDAs, game consoles, cellular telephones, and the like. In addition, the communication network 460 itself may include a number of computers, servers, and network devices (routers, etc.).

There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurations that support a distributed computing environment. For example, computing systems may be connected to each other by wired or wireless systems, by local networks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many of these networks are coupled to the Internet, which provides an infrastructure for wide area distributed computing, and may include many different networks. Aspects of various embodiments may be usable for distributing computer-readable instructions, code fragments, applications, and the like to various distributed computing devices.

One example of a known network configuration is the Microsoft Xbox® networking service. The Microsoft Xbox® console supports a home network connection to a service called Xbox LIVE®. Xbox LIVE® is an online network developed by Microsoft that allows the Xbox® game system to play with other Xbox® users over the Internet or other networks. This service allows players to communicate verbally, maintain scoreboards, and so on. This connection allows multiplayer Internet access.

Network infrastructures enable many network topologies such as client / server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. A client is a member of a class or group that uses services of other classes or groups not related to it. Thus, in computing, a client may be a process (ie, a series of instructions or tasks) that requests a service provided by another program. The client process can use the requested service without needing any useful details about the other program or the service itself. In client / server architectures, especially in networked systems, a client is usually a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer (ie, a server). The server may be, for example, a remote computer system accessible through a remote network such as the Internet. The client process may be active in the first computer system and the server process may be active in the second computer system, as they communicate with each other via a communication medium, providing distributed functionality and allowing multiple clients to collect information from the server. Make the ability available.

Clients and servers can communicate with each other using the functionality provided by the protocol layer. For example, Hypertext-Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol used in connection with the World Wide Web (WWW). Computer network addresses, such as Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, can be used to identify server or client computers to each other. Communication between computing devices may be provided via a communication medium. In detail, the client and server may be connected to and operate with each other through a TCP / IP connection for mass communication.

In general, a computer network may include both server devices and client devices deployed in a network environment (in a peer-to-peer environment, the devices may be both client and server). Communication network 460 may be a LAN, WAN, intranet or Internet, or any combination thereof that facilitates communication between multiple computing devices 400a-400e. In addition, communication network 460 may include a wireless connection, a wired connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. In addition, the computer network may include a distributed computing environment. In such an environment, computing tasks may be spread across multiple computing devices that are addressable elements in a computer network.

According to one embodiment, communication network 460 may host network service 450 accessible from a plurality of computers 400a-400e. Network service 450 may collect information and track users of computers 400a-400e to provide computing services to users of service 450.

5 is a block diagram of an example game console in which the above techniques may be implemented. Generally, processor 500 is one type of computing device or system and is an example of a computing device or system that can be used in these techniques. In an example scenario, the processor 500 includes a game console, such as, for example, an XBOX® game console. The media content played on or read by the game console 500 may include game content, movie content, music content, audio content, video content, video conferencing content, and / or digital video disk (DVD) content. And non-game content such as, but are not limited to these. Game content also applies to any particular game to be played on, for example, a vehicle, character, weapon, spell, level, updated statistics, or game console that is generally known to the user / player of the game console. Other such graphics may be included, as well as data and media related to game usable information. The media content can include any game content that can be optionally combined with non-game content.

The game console 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 501 having a level 1 (L1) cache 502, a level 2 (L2) cache 504, and a flash read-only memory (CPU) 506. Have Level 1 cache 502 and level 2 cache 504 temporarily store data, thus improving throughput and throughput by reducing the number of memory access cycles. The flash ROM 506 may store executable code that is loaded during the initial stages of the boot process when the game console 500 is first powered on. As another alternative, executable code loaded during the initial boot phase may be stored in a flash memory device (not shown). In addition, the ROM 506 may be located separate from the CPU 501. Game console 500 may optionally be a multi-processor system, for example, game console 500 may have three processors 501, 503, 505, where processors 503 and 505 Has similar or identical components to the processor 501.

Graphics processing unit (GPU) 508 and video encoder / video codec (coder / decoder) 514 form a video processing pipeline for high speed and high resolution graphics processing. Data is transferred from the graphics processing unit 508 to the video encoder / video codec 514 via a bus. The video processing pipeline outputs data to the A / V (audio / video) port 540 for transmission to a television or other display device. Memory controller 510 is coupled to GPU 508 and CPU 501 to facilitate processor access to various types of memory 512, such as, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM). .

The processor 500 may include an I / O controller 520, a system management controller 522, an audio processing unit 523, a network interface controller 524, and a first USB host controller that may be implemented on the module 518. 526, a second USB controller 528, and a front panel I / O subassembly 530. USB controllers 526 and 528 may include peripheral controllers 542 (1) -542 (2), wireless adapter 548, and external memory device 546 (eg, flash memory, external CD / DVD). Serve as a host for ROM drives, removable media, etc.). Network interface 524 and / or wireless adapter 548 provide access to a network (eg, the Internet, home network, etc.) and provide a wide variety of wired or wireless, including Ethernet cards, modems, Bluetooth modules, cable modems, and the like. It may be any of the interface components.

System memory 543 may store application data that is loaded during the boot process. Media drive 544 may include a DVD / CD drive, hard drive, or other removable media drive. Media drive 544 may be internal or external to game console 500. If the media drive 544 is a drive or reader for removable media (such as a removable optical disk or flash cartridge), the media drive 544 is an example of an interface on which media can be mounted for reading. The media drive 544 can access the application data 544 for execution, playback, etc. by the game console 500. Media drive 544 may be coupled to I / O controller 520 via a bus such as a serial ATA bus or other high speed connection (eg, IEEE 1394). Although media drive 544 may generally refer to various storage embodiments (eg, hard disk, removable optical disk drive, etc.), game console 500 may specifically be game data, application data, or other type. It may include a hard disk 552 that may be used to store data of.

System management controller 522 may provide various service functions related to verifying availability of game console 500. The audio processing device 523 and the audio codec 532 share a corresponding audio processing pipeline with high fidelity, 3D, surround, and stereo audio processing in accordance with aspects of the subject matter described herein. Can be formed. The communication link may carry audio data between the audio processing device 523 and the audio codec 532. The audio processing pipeline outputs data to the A / V port 540 for playback by an external audio player or device with audio capabilities.

Front panel I / O subassembly 530 may function as a power button 550 and eject button 552 as well as any light emitting diode (LED) or other indicator that is exposed on the exterior surface of game console 500. Support prayer. System power supply module 536 may provide power to components of game console 500. The fan 538 can cool the circuitry in the game console 500.

The interconnection between the CPU 501, the GPU 508, the memory controller 510, and the various other components within the game console 500 may include serial buses and parallel buses, memory buses, peripheral buses, and various bus architectures. It may be through one or more buses, including processors or local buses using any.

When the game console 500 is powered on or rebooted, application data may be loaded from system memory 543 into memory 512 and / or caches 502 and 504 and executed on CPU 501. The application may present a graphical user interface that provides a consistent user experience when browsing different media types available on game console 500. In operation, applications and / or other media contained within media drive 544 may be launched or played from media drive 544 to provide additional functions to game console 500.

Game console 500 may be operated as a standalone system by simply connecting the present system to a television or other display. In this standalone mode, game console 500 may allow one or more users to interact with the system, watch movies, listen to music, and the like. However, if integration of a broadband connection is available through the air interface 524 or the wireless adapter 548, the game console 500 may also operate as a participant in a large network community.

Computer systems can be generally divided into three component groups: hardware components, hardware / software interface system components, and application program components (also called "user components" or "software components"). In various embodiments of a computer system, the hardware component may include, inter alia, a central processing unit (CPU) 521, memory (both ROM 564 and RAM 525), basic input / output system (BIOS) ( 566), and various input / output (I / O) devices (keyboard 540, mouse 562, monitor 547, and / or printer (not shown), etc.). Hardware components include the basic physical infrastructure for a computer system.

6 illustrates an example system implementing aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein that includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 641. Components of computer 641 include processing unit 659, system memory 622, graphics processing unit 629 (and graphics interface 631), video memory 630 (and video interface 632), and system memory. There may be, but are not limited to, a system bus 621 that couples various system components, including 622, to the processing unit 659. The system bus 621 can be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). There is a bus (also called a mezzanine bus).

Computer 641 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 641 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), or other Optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by computer 641, but with It is not limited.

Communication media generally embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier or other transmission mechanism, and include all information delivery media. The term " modulated data signal " means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

System memory 622 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM) 623 and random access memory (RAM) 660. Basic input / output system 624 (BIOS), which contains basic routines that help transfer information between components within computer 641, such as during startup, is typically stored in ROM 623. RAM 660 typically contains data and / or program modules that can be accessed immediately by processing unit 659 and / or are currently being processed. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 6 illustrates an operating system 625, an application program 626, other program modules 627, and program data 628.

Computer 641 may also include other removable / non-removable, volatile / nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only, FIG. 6 illustrates a hard disk drive 638 that reads from or writes to a non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic medium, and a magnetic disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 654. 639) and an optical disk drive 640 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 653, such as a CD-ROM or other optical medium. Other removable / non-removable, volatile / nonvolatile computer storage media that may be used in an exemplary operating environment include magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tapes, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. However, it is not limited to these. Hard disk drive 638 is typically connected to system bus 621 via a non-separable memory interface, such as interface 634, and magnetic disk drive 639 and optical disk drive 640 typically interface 635. It is connected to the system bus 621 by a separate memory interface, such as.

The drives and associated computer storage media described above and illustrated in FIG. 6 provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer 641. In FIG. 6, for example, hard disk drive 638 is shown to store operating system 658, application program 657, other program modules 656, and program data 655. Note that these components may be the same as or different from operating system 625, application program 626, other program modules 627, and program data 628. The different reference numerals are given to the operating system 658, the application program 657, the other program module 656, and the program data 655 to indicate that they are at least different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer 641 through input devices such as a keyboard 651 and pointing device 652 (commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad). Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 659 via a user input interface 636 connected to the system bus, but by other interfaces and bus structures such as parallel ports, game ports or universal serial bus (USB). May be A monitor 642 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 621 via an interface such as a video interface 632. In addition to the monitor, the computer may also include other peripheral output devices, such as a speaker 644 and a printer 643, which may be connected via an output peripheral interface 633.

Computer 641 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections with one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 646. Remote computer 646 may be a personal computer, server, router, network PC, peer device, or other conventional network node, and typically includes many or all of the components described above with respect to computer 641. 6, only the memory storage device 647 is shown. The logical connection shown in FIG. 6 includes a local area network (LAN) 645 and a wide area network (WAN) 649, but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 641 is connected to the LAN 645 via a network interface or adapter 637. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 641 typically includes a modem 650 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 649, such as the Internet. The modem 650, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 621 via the user input interface 636 or other suitable mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted in connection with computer 641 or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 6 illustrates that remote application program 648 is present in memory device 647. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

It will be appreciated that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software, or where appropriate, a combination of the two. Accordingly, the methods and apparatus of the presently-disclosed subject matter, or any aspect or portion thereof, are implemented on tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives or any other machine-readable media. It may take the form of code (ie, instructions), and when the program code is loaded and executed on a machine such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the subject matter disclosed herein. In the case of program code execution on a programmable computer, the computing device generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and nonvolatile media and / or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least It includes one output device. One or more programs may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the subject matter disclosed herein, for example, through the use of API reusable controls or otherwise. Such programs are preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program (s) may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In either case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language and combined with a hardware implementation.

7 illustrates an example system for providing a targeted recommendation to a user based on using the social online multiplayer gaming environment 700. In one embodiment, the first user accesses the environment through the access device 702 of the first user. The device may include an e-commerce or advertising client capable of playing the game, a dedicated game device, or a music or other device interface capable of playing the game. Data transmitted during this interaction between a first user and the environment is captured and stored by the behavior data collection component 704 of the environment. The data is then sent to the behavioral data cleansing and aggregation component 706, which filters out unnecessary information in the process of determining recommendations and sends the data to the correct database (user database 708, item database 710 and Game database], as well as aggregate the data to the level required for proper processing.

The data analysis and inference engine 714 then collects information about the items contained in the item database 710 as well as information aggregated from the behavior of the first user and the first user, friends of the first user and first user. Receive existing information about social networks. This data analysis and reasoning engine 714 is based on the first of all relevant items in the item database 710, given the past behavior of the first user as well as the behavior of friends of the first user in the social network of the first user. Determine the best recommendation for the user. For example, if all of the friends of the first user have purchased an additional map of a game that the first user does not have, the likelihood that the first user will purchase the map is that the first user has no one in the first user's network. Much higher than buying items that do not show interest.

The recommendation component 716 receives the calculated relevance of each recommendable item from the data analysis and inference engine 714 to determine a recommendation to send to the first user and sends it to the user database 708, the item database 710. And the data from the game database 712. In one embodiment, this recommendation is a recommendation determined to be most helpful to the user. Along with the recommendation, metadata about the recommendation can be sent. For example, if the recommendation is a song, the text containing the song name, artist name, album name, song length, similar artist, and description of the song, as well as the image of the album associated with the musician or song, purchases the item. May be sent with a link to: This recommendation is then returned to the first user.

7 is a block diagram of an example processor 700 implementing the systems and methods disclosed herein. Processor 700 may include a processing portion 702, a memory portion 704 and an input / output portion 706. By connecting the processing portion 702, the memory portion 704 and the input / output portion 706 to each other (connection is not shown in FIG. 7), communication between them can be enabled. Input / output portion 706 may provide and / or receive content over a network as described above.

Processor 700 may be implemented as a client processor and / or server processor. In a basic configuration, processor 700 may include at least one processing portion 702 and a memory portion 704. Memory portion 704 may store any information used in connection with media reliability. Depending on the exact configuration and type of processor, the memory portion 704 may be volatile (RAM, etc.) 708, nonvolatile (ROM, flash memory, etc.) 710, or a combination thereof. Processor 700 may include both removable storage 712 and non-removable storage 714, including but not limited to magnetic or optical disks, tapes, flashes, smart cards, and the like. Computer storage media, such as the memory portions 704, 708, 710, 712, and 714, are volatile and implemented in any method or technology that stores information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Non-volatile, removable and non-removable media. Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disks or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, There are, but are not limited to, universal serial bus (USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by the processor 700. Any such computer storage media may be part of the processor 700.

Processor 700 may also include communication connection (s) 720 that enable processor 700 to communicate with other devices. Communication connection (s) 720 is one example of communication media. Communication media generally embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier or other transmission mechanism, and may include all information delivery media. The modulated data signal may constitute a signal that has been set or changed in such a way that one or more of its characteristics encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media, as used herein, may include both storage media and communication media. Processor 700 may also have input device (s) 718, such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, and the like. Output device (s) 716, such as a display, speaker, printer, etc. may also be included.

Claims (15)

A method of targeting referrals to first users in an online multiplayer gaming environment,
Tracking the activity of the first user 110 in an online multiplayer game environment (100), wherein the activity (118) represents a relationship between the first user and the second user (114);
Receiving first data (120) indicative of a preference of the second user;
Determining a recommendation based on the first data and the activity; And
Sending the recommendation 122 to the first user
Method comprising a. The method of claim 1,
Determining a recommendation based on the first data and the activity includes determining the recommendation as most relevant of the plurality of recommendations. The method of claim 1,
Tracking the activity includes storing data relating to the activity in a database (208). The method of claim 3,
Filtering data relating to the activity such that the data represents an interaction between the first user and the second user. The method of claim 1,
The first data may include a game played by the second user, a video watched by the second user, content purchased by the second user, a service used by the second user, and a preferred language of the second user. A method comprising anything. The method of claim 1,
The recommendation comprises a descriptive object selected to be compatible with the communication capability of the access device to the online multiplayer gaming environment of the first user. The method of claim 6,
The access device (202) includes any of a game console, a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a general purpose computer, and a portable digital music player. The method of claim 1,
The recommendation suggests a course of action for the first user. The method of claim 1,
The recommendation includes at least any of a friend to add to a friend list, a game to play, a match to join, a group to join, and a opponent to play the game. The method of claim 1,
Receiving a request for the recommendation. The method of claim 1,
Receiving second data indicative of a preference of the first user, and
Determining the recommendation based on the second data. The method of claim 1,
The first data includes game activity of the second user in the game environment, e-commerce activity of the second user in the game environment, e-commerce activity of the second user outside the game environment, And social activities of the second user in the environment. The method of claim 1,
Determining the recommendation may include any of the characteristics of the social network of the first user, the behavior of a third user connected to the first user through the second user, and the characteristics of the game environment of the first user. Determining the recommendation based on the determination. The method of claim 1,
Determining the recommendation comprises determining the recommendation based on a characteristic of the social network of the second user. A system for targeting referrals to first users in an online multiplayer gaming environment,
First data indicative of the activity of the first user 110 in the online multiplayer game environment 100, the activity indicating a relationship between the first user 110 and the second user 114, and the A memory 512 for storing second data 120 representing a preference of a first user; And
A processor 501 that determines a recommendation 122 based on the first data and the second data and transmits the recommendation to the first user 110-the processor filters the first data to filter the first data; Allow data to represent interactions between the first user 110 and the second user 114, and the recommendation 122 suggests a course of action for the first user.
System comprising a.

Images