Sony patents game fallback that uses a second device when Wi-Fi drops
Sony describes a system for cloud gaming that detects when a player's main connection to the game server is lost. It then switches to a backup communication channel, such as a mobile data connection on a phone, to keep the game running and allow the player to send controls.
In the filing’s own words
A method for managing gameplay of a video game is provided, including: executing a session of a video game by a cloud gaming resource; streaming video generated by the session over a network to a client device associated to a player of the video game, to enable gameplay of the session by the player; detecting a loss of network connectivity between the client device and the session; responsive to detecting the loss of network connectivity, then initiating transmission of updates regarding the session, via an alternative communication channel, to a secondary device associated to the player.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: at a server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the server system to perform operations comprising: executing a session of a video game by a cloud gaming resource; streaming video generated by the session over a network to a client device associated with a player of the video game, to enable gameplay of the session by the player; detecting an instance of loss of network connectivity between the server system and the client device during the session; responsive to detecting the instance of the loss of network connectivity, then initiating transmission of updates regarding the session, via an alternative communication channel, to a secondary device associated to the player; further responsive to detecting the instance of the loss of network connectivity, initiating receiving of game commands, via the alternative communication channel, from the secondary device; and applying the game commands in the session to enable continued gameplay by the player during the instance of the loss of network connectivity.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.)
- Official title
- Text message or app fallback during network failure in a video game
- Patent number
- US12758868B2
- Application number
- 18134741
- Filed
- Apr 14, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A63F 13/335 Human necessitiesA63F 13/355 Human necessitiesMore from Sony in Games & media
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.