Patent Publication Number: US-2018039503-A1

Title: Platform for sharing setup configuration and a setup configuration method in association therewith

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a platform for sharing setup configuration. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic games can be considered a common form of entertainment for the masses. 
     However, gaming experience can be detracted due to a player&#39;s (i.e., gamer&#39;s) inexperience and unfamiliarity with the game. 
     Particularly, it might be required for an amateur player to go through lengthy tutorials etc. to learn basic game control mechanisms which may include setting up equipment (joystick, keyboard, audio output devices etc.) required for playing the game. 
     Thus a steep learning curve could prove an obstacle for an amateur gamer who might be interested in playing a particular new game. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a solution to address the foregoing problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a setup configuration method. The setup configuration method can include a setup step, a processing step and a sharing step. 
     In regard to the setup step, a platform can be provided for setup configuration of at least one peripheral device (e.g., keyboard, mouse) coupled to a computer. 
     In regard to the processing step, output signals can be generated (e.g., the computer can include a processor which is capable of generating the output signals) based on the setup configuration using the platform. 
     In regard to the sharing step, the generated output signals can be communicated (i.e., to an electronic device) for setup configuration of corresponding at least one peripheral device coupled to an electronic device. 
     Setup configuration of the corresponding at least one peripheral device can be based on received output signals via one or both of manual setup and automatic setup. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a system in which a platform can be provided for setup control of one or more peripheral devices, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows the platform of  FIG. 1  can be in the form of a graphics user interface (GUI), according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary appearance of the GUI of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram for a setup configuration method in association with the system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative embodiments of the disclosure, for addressing the foregoing problem(s), are described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . 
     Specifically, the present disclosure contemplates a solution for improving software (e.g., a game) user experience for, for example, an amateur user (e.g., gamer). For example, it is appreciable that an amateur gamer (i.e., a gamer who could be unfamiliar with a game) may not be able to fully enjoy playing a game due to unfamiliarity. Having to go through lengthy/complicated tutorials etc. associated with the game may further detract gaming experience. To alleviate issues owing to gaming inexperience, and thus improving gaming experience, the present disclosure contemplates a platform that can be used for setup configuration(s) of one or more tool(s) required to play a game. Such a platform can be used by more experienced gamers and referred to by amateur gamer(s). That is, gaming experience (e.g., setup configuration(s) performed by more experienced gamers) can thus be shared via the platform. In this manner, the learning curve required for an amateur gamer familiarizing himself/herself with a game need not be unduly steep, thus improving experience. 
     Sharing of such a platform could, for example, be based on a device to a device based sharing (i.e., a “one to one” type sharing) or cloud based sharing (e.g., “one to many” type sharing). Moreover, such a platform can be in the form of a graphics user interface (GUI) as will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 1  shows a system  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The system  100  can include a computer  102  (e.g., a Smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a desktop personal computer) which can, for example, be suitable for gaming and an electronic device  104  (which can, for example, be another computer). The system  100  can further include a first set of peripherals  106  and a second set of peripherals  108 . Each of the first set of peripherals  106  and the second set of peripherals  108  can include a plurality of peripheral devices (e.g., audio output devices such as speakers, pointing devices such as a mouse, keyboards). The computer  102  can be coupled to the first set of peripherals  106  and the electronic device  104  can be coupled to the second set of peripherals  108 . The computer  102  can be coupled to the electronic device  104  such that the computer  102  can communicate with the electronic device  104 . Coupling between the computer  102  and the electronic device  104  can be via one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. 
     The computer  102  can include a body  102   a  such as a casing shaped and dimensioned to carry a computer display screen  102   b . Similarly, the electronic device  104  can include a body  104   a  such as a casing shaped and dimensioned to carry a device display screen  104   b.    
     The computer  102  can be configured to run a platform for use by a user of the computer  102  to configure one or more peripheral devices in the first set of peripherals  106 . Specifically, the platform can be used by the user for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices in the first set of peripherals  106 . The platform can, in one embodiment, be a native type platform (e.g., a local software residing in, and run/executed by, the computer  102 ). The platform can, in another embodiment, be a hosted type platform (e.g., a cloud based platform which can be hosted by another device such as a server external to the computer  102 ). 
     The computer  102  can be configured to generate output signals based on the setup configuration. For example, the computer  102  can include a processor (not shown) which can be configured to generate output signals. Output signals can be communicated from the computer  102  to the electronic device  104 . 
     In one embodiment, output signals received by the electronic device  104  can be the basis of manual setup of one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . For example, the output signals can correspond to a screen capture of the computer display screen  102   b  showing the platform with the relevant setup configuration for one or more peripheral devices in the first set of peripherals  106 . The output signals received can be displayed via the device display screen  104   b . In this regard, output signals generated by, and communicated from, the computer  102  can correspond to graphics based output signals which can be visually perceivable via the device display screen  104   b.    
     In another embodiment, output signals received by the electronic device  104  can be the basis of automatic setup of one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . For example, the output signals can correspond to the setup configuration data for one or more peripheral devices in the first set of peripherals  106 . Such setup configuration data, received by the electronic device  104 , can be used to automatically (i.e., without user intervention by a user of the electronic device  104 ) configure corresponding one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . In this regard, output signals generated by, and communicated from, the computer  102  can correspond to control data based output signals which need not necessarily be visually perceivable via the device display screen  104   b.    
     For example, where output signals are based on setup configuration of a keyboard coupled to the computer  102 , a corresponding keyboard coupled to the electronic device  104  can be configured based on the received output signals via manual setup and/or automatic setup. 
     The electronic device  104  can be configured to run a platform analogous to that being run by the computer  102 . In this regard, the earlier discussion concerning the platform in relation to the computer  102  analogously applies. Specifically, the platform run by the electronic device  104  can be used by a user of the electronic device  104  for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . 
     In the case of manual setup, a user of the electronic device  104 , by viewing output signals (i.e., corresponding to graphics based output signals) displayed by the device display screen  104   b , can be able to follow/learn the setup configuration of the one or more peripherals in the first set of peripherals  106 , if desired. Appreciably, two platforms (one associated with the computer  102  and another one associated with the electronic device  104 ) can be visually perceived via the device display screen  104   b.    
     In the case of automatic setup, the electronic device  104  can be configured to receive output signals (i.e., corresponding to control data based output signals) from the computer  102  and use the received output signals to automatically (i.e., without user intervention) configure corresponding one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . In this regard, it is appreciable that there is no need for any display of platform(s). Alternatively, the platform run by the electronic device  104  can be displayed and the platform can be visually updated per the received output signals so that a user of the electronic device  104  can visually perceive changes to the platform per setup configuration based on the received output signals. Thus a “step-by-step” tutorial can effectively be provided. It is to be noted that the output signals themselves need not necessarily be visually perceivable and only changes (due to the received output signals) to the platform run by the electronic device  104  are visually perceived via the device display screen  104   b.    
     Each of the aforementioned platforms can be in the form of a graphics user interface (GUI) for configuring one or more peripheral devices connected to corresponding computer  102  and electronic device  104 . The GUI can present one or more setup options for setting device parameters (i.e., setup configuration) associated with the peripheral device(s) as will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 2  hereinafter. 
       FIG. 2  shows that the aforementioned platform(s) can be presented in the form of a graphics user interface (GUI)  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The GUI  200  can include one or more graphics based control portions for the aforementioned of setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices. The one or more graphics based control portion can, for example, include a lighting control portion  202 , an audio control portion  204 , a keyboard control portion  206  and a pointing device control portion  208 . 
     In one exemplary scenario (not shown), the first set of peripherals  106  coupled to the computer  102  can include one or more speaker devices carrying light emitting elements, a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. Moreover, the computer  102  can be used by a veteran gamer for playing a game on the computer  102 . 
     The lighting control portion  202  can, for example, be used by the veteran gamer to configure the light emitting elements carried by the speaker device(s) in a manner so as to create a lightshow which could be reflective/indicative of the tempo of the game being played. For example, lighting effects (e.g., “motion,” “ripple,” “color,” and “speed”) generated by the light emitting elements can be controlled by the veteran gamer using the lighting control portion  202 . 
     The audio control portion  204  can, for example, be used by the veteran gamer to configure the speaker device(s) in a manner so that audio output from the speaker device(s) can be audibly optimized based on, for example, tempo of the game being played. In one embodiment, the audio control portion  204  can include a plurality of sub control portions  204   a / 204   b / 204   c / 204   d  which can be used for controlling various aspects of audio output from the speaker device(s). For example, audio effects (e.g., “noise reduction settings,” “voice morphing settings,” “surround sound settings,” “equalizer settings,” “bass settings,” and “volume settings”) can be controlled by the veteran gamer using the audio control portion  204  so that audio output from the speaker device(s) can be audibly optimized based on the game being played. 
     The keyboard control portion  206  can, for example, be used by the veteran gamer to configure keys of the keyboard so as to facilitate effective gameplay. For example, via the keyboard control portion  206 , the veteran gamer can define shortcut keys for performing certain game functions (e.g., activate special abilities of a game character in the game/cause a game character to perform a certain activity when a shortcut key is pressed) while the game is being played. 
     The pointing device control portion  208  can. For example, be used by the veteran gamer to configure the mouse to facilitate effective gameplay. For example, via the pointing device control portion  208 , the veteran gamer can assign certain game based actions to buttons carried by the mouse. As such, the buttons carried by the mouse can function as shortcut buttons in a manner analogous to the aforementioned shortcut keys. In another example, pointing speed of the mouse can be controlled by the veteran gamer using the pointing device control portion  208 . 
     Based on setup configuration, by the veteran gamer, of one or more peripheral devices (e.g., speaker device(s), keyboard and/or mouse) in the first set of peripherals  106  coupled to the computer  102 , output signals can be generated and communicated from the computer  102  to the electronic device  104  which may be used by an amateur gamer playing the same game. As mentioned earlier, output signals received by the electronic device  104  can be the basis of manual setup and/or automatic setup of one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108 . 
     In this regard, setup configuration per the veteran gamer can be shared with the amateur gamer, and such setup configuration can be instructive (i.e., to the amateur gamer). Therefore, gaming experience for the amateur gamer can be improved. In one example, in the case of manual setup, the GUI  200  as displayed on the computer display screen  102   b  can effectively be displayed on the device display screen  104   b  for the amateur gamer to follow and/or to study as the amateur gamer performs setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices in the second set of peripherals  108  using another platform (i.e., which can be analogous to the GUI  200 ) run on the electronic device  104 . 
     Moreover, it is appreciable that in this manner, setup configuration created by gaming experts/enthusiasts (e.g., a veteran gamer) can be shared by other gamers (e.g., amateur gamers) who can easily upload, browse and/or download such setup configuration (i.e., as created by, for example, an expert gamer). Therefore, amateur gamers can experience the same exact gaming environment which more experienced gamers (e.g., expert gamers, enthusiast, veteran gamers) are using. 
     Furthermore, it is also appreciable that if a plurality of devices (e.g., a plurality of electronic devices  104 ) need to be setup, it can be easily achieved by manner of the aforementioned automatic setup where, for example, setup configuration by a veteran gamer can be uploaded (e.g., to a server) and other devices (e.g., electronic devices  104 ) used by amateur gamers can sync up to such a setup configuration via cloud computing. In this regard, it is possible for the aforementioned platform(s) to be hosted by a host device (e.g., a server) coupled to both the computer  102  and the electronic device(s). 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary appearance  300  of the GUI  200  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram for a setup configuration method  400  in association with the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     As shown, the setup configuration method  400  can include a setup step  402 , a processing step  404  and a sharing step  406 . 
     In regard to the setup step  402 , a platform can be provided for use for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices coupled to a computer. For example, a user (e.g., a veteran gamer) of the computer  102  can be provided with a platform (e.g., GUI  200 ) for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices from the first set of peripherals  106 . 
     In regard to the processing step  404 , output signals can be generated based on setup configuration using the platform. For example, output signals can be generated at, and communicated from, the computer  102 . Output signals can, in one example, correspond to control data based output signals. Output signals can, in another example, correspond to graphics based output signals. 
     In regard to the sharing step  406 , generated output signals can be communicated for one or both of automatic setup and manual setup of corresponding one or more peripheral devices coupled to one or more other electronic devices. For example, output signals can be communicated from the computer  102  to one or more electronic devices  104 . One or more peripheral devices from the second set of peripherals  108  coupled to the electronic device(s)  104  can be configured based on received output signals via one or both of manual setup and automatic setup. In a more specific example, where output signals are based on setup configuration of a keyboard coupled to the computer  102 , a corresponding keyboard coupled to the electronic device  104  can be configured based on the received output signals via manual setup and/or automatic setup. 
     In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims, and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 
     In one example, the system  100  can further include a host device (not shown) coupled to the computer  102  and the electronic device  104 . The aforementioned platform can be hosted by the host device. The platform hosted by the host device can, in one example, be shared by the computer  102  and the electronic device  104  for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices from the first set of peripherals  106  and/or the second set of peripherals  108 . As such, it Is appreciable that the aforementioned platform(s) need not necessarily reside locally in the computer  102  and/or the electronic device  104 . 
     In another example, the system  100  can further include a host device (not shown) which can be a server and a plurality of electronic devices  104 . The host device can be coupled to the computer  102  and the electronic devices  104 . The aforementioned platform can be hosted by the host device and can be used by a veteran gamer playing a game run/executed on the computer  102  for setup configuration of one or more peripheral devices from the first set of peripherals  106 . Output signals, based on such setup configuration, can be generated and communicated from the host device to the plurality of electronic devices  104 . As such, it is appreciable that the platform hosted by the host device can be used by the veteran gamer for setup configuration and such platform can be accessed by users of the plurality of electronic devices  104  who can be amateur gamers. Moreover, the host device can include a processor which can be configured to generate output signals and output signals can be communicated from the host device to the electronic device(s)  104 . 
     Therefore, it is appreciable that the aforementioned platform (e.g., GUI  200 ) can be a cloud based platform, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     In yet another example, the GUI  200  can further include an avatar display portion which can be configured to display a graphic image representative of a user (e.g., the aforementioned veteran gamer) of the platform so that amateur gamer(s) can easily identify whether such a platform is suitable for studying/following. 
     In yet a further example, the GUI  200  can further include a chat portion for use by users of the computer  102  and electronic device  104  to communicate (e.g., to chat) with each other.