Damon V. Danieli

Bio: Damon V. Danieli is an academic researcher from Microsoft. The author has contributed to research in topics: The Internet & Multiplayer game. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 34 publications receiving 2391 citations.

Use of online messaging to facilitate selection of participants in game play

Abstract: A method and system facilitating selection of participants in multiplayer online electronic games. The method provides an efficient procedure for players to host and join new instances of multiplayer online electronic games, as well as providing a scheme that enables players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The method is implemented through a gaming utility that runs on each player's electronic device (e.g. PC) and interacts behind the scenes with an online messaging service. Player hosts are enabled to select players from a list of contacts provided by the online messaging service who they want to invite to join a chat session. A selected multiplayer online electronic game is selectively launched on all of the player's computers through a single command issued by the host. Additionally, the gaming utility provides players with a list of existing chat sessions being hosted by other players so as to enable the players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices linked in communication across a communications network, such as a LAN or the Internet. Each electronic device is operatively coupled to a headset having a pair of headphones and a microphone. The headset is worn by a player, enabling the players to verbally communicate with others in a verbal chat session.

Security services and policy enforcement for electronic data

Abstract: Security services and policy enforcement for electronic data is provided through a series of transactions among a server and clients using electronic security certificates. A first client generates a digest from the electronic data, and submits a security certificate request containing the digest to a trusted arbitrator server, where the request is time stamped and logged. The trusted arbitrator authenticates the first client's credentials and returns the security certificate to the first client. The data and security certificate are combined to create a distribution unit. A second client acquires the distribution unit, extracts the security certificate, and generates a digest from the data. If the digest from the second client matches the logged digest from the first client, the data is valid. Depending on the certificate type and policy level, the trusted arbitrator server provides other services to the clients, such as notification of improper user of the data.

Online gaming spectator system

Abstract: During an online event, a spectator process monitors a state of the event, updating a spectator model, so that spectator data streams can be generated and provided to spectators. The spectator data streams can be formatted and provided with content appropriate for use by different types of spectator devices used by the spectators. The spectator process can also automatically generate virtual commentary appropriate for the action occurring in the event for inclusion in the spectator data streams. A media server receives the rendered data streams and distributes them to the electronic devices being used by the spectators. The distribution can be delayed to avoid a spectator conveying information to a participant that would provide an unfair advantage. Executable code can be included in the spectator data stream to provide additional functionality and facilitate interaction between the spectators, and to enable a spectator to also “play” the game.

Automatic and selective assignment of channels to recipients of voice chat data

Abstract: A method and system for selecting contacts to participate in a voice chat session over a communications network, such as the Internet, and for assigning contacts to a plurality of chat channels both automatically and manually. In a multiplayer game application, the method enables a player to host a chat session by providing a list of contacts from which the host can choose other player who will be invited to join the chat session and thereafter, to participate in the game. Upon joining the chat session, players are automatically assigned to chat channels, for example, based on an order in which they join the session. Optionally, chat channel assignments may be pre-assigned by the host, or reassigned by individual users after the initial automatic assignment. In addition, players can be selectively assigned to a “team” channel. The system employs an online messaging service to provide the list of contacts for each player, and implements a gaming utility application that enables the users to easily host and join chat sessions, and selectively control channel assignments. The system further includes a channel controller device that is connected to each user's computer and enables each user to selectively control which other players are able to hear them during a voice chat session, which is particularly advantageous during the playing of multiplayer games over the Internet or other network. Each of the channel controller devices is connected to a headset that includes a pair of headphones and a microphone.

Use of multiple player real-time voice communications on a gaming device

Abstract: A game console capable of communicating with other game consoles over a link or network is provided with a headphone and microphone for each player who will engage in voice communication. Verbal communications directed to one or more other players are converted to pulse code modulated (PCM) digital data and are encoded and compressed in real-time, producing data packets that are transmitted to another game console. The compressed data packets are decompressed and decoded, producing PCM data that are converted to an analog signal that drives a headphone of the intended recipient. Players can selectively mute voice communications to and from a specific other player. The PCM data can be encoded in a round-robin fashion that reduces the number of encoders required. A predefined level of computing resources is used for voice communication to avoid aversely affecting the quality of game play.

Electronic device having display and surrounding touch sensitive bezel for user interface and control

Abstract: An electronic device has a display and has a touch sensitive bezel surrounding the display. Areas on the bezel are designated for controls used to operate the electronic device. Visual guides corresponding to the controls are displayed on the display adjacent the areas of the bezel designated for the controls. Touch data is generated by the bezel when a user touches an area of the bezel. The device determines which of the controls has been selected based on which designated area is associated with the touch data from the bezel. The device then initiates the determined control. The device can have a sensor for determining the orientation of the device. Based on the orientation, the device can alter the areas designated on the bezel for the controls and can alter the location of the visual guides for the display so that they match the altered areas on the bezel.

System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices

Abstract: A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

Method and system for interactively responding to instant messaging requests

Abstract: A method and system for interactively responding to queries from a remotely located user (18) includes a computer server system (22) configured to receiving an instant message query or request (20) from the user over the Internet. The query or request is interpreted and appropriate action is taken, such as accessing a local or remote data resource and formulating an answer to the user's query. The answer is formatted as appropriate and returned to the user as an instant message or via another route specified by the user. A method and system of providing authenticated access to a given web page via instant messaging is also disclosed.

System and methodology for security policy arbitration

Abstract: A system providing methods for a device to apply a security policy required for connection to a network is described. In response to receipt of a request from a device for connection to a particular network, a current policy to apply to said device for governing the connection to this particular network is determined from a plurality of available security policies available to the device. This current policy to apply to said device is generated by merging a plurality of security policies available for governing connections. After said current policy is applied to the device, the connection from the device to this particular network is allowed to proceed.

System and method for creating a secure trusted social network

Abstract: A system for a plurality of users to share resources with access, control and configuration based on pre-defined relationships of trust between the users of the system. A computer-based authority provides the services of authentication, identification and verification of each user within network. Processes are described that leads to the formation of an electronic community, which facilitates electronic communication and transactions in a defined manner.