Patents Assigned to Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11813531
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20230146585
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to techniques of coordinating sensory event timelines of multiple devices. The devices may use the sensory even timelines to output sensory events such as audio segments. The devices may take turns determining the sensory events to be output by the devices using their sensory event timelines. The techniques coordinate transitions of the devices between a first mode in which a device is allowed to determine sensory events to be output and a second mode in which a device outputs sensory events determined by another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Christopher McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11602691
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for providing an in-game virtual boundary. First data is received that is indicative of a user position while the user is playing a video game. It is determined whether the user position is within a warning zone, wherein the warning zone comprises an area between a soft boundary indicative of a safe area for the user and a safe boundary indicative of one or more real-world objects around the user. Based on a relationship between the user position and the safe boundary, a visual indication of a plurality of visual indications of the in-game virtual boundary is determined to provide to the user. Second data indicative of the visual indication is transmitted to a display being viewed by the user while playing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11594207
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for synthesizing waves (e.g., audio waveforms) at various frequencies. For example, techniques described herein may be used to render musical notes by generating audio waveforms. According to some embodiments, the techniques generate a wave table for an audio waveform based on a set of partial waveforms. The system determines a set of notes with a corresponding entry in the wave table and determines a set of partials for each note. The system renders, for each note, an associated waveform comprising the associated number of partials for the note from the set of partial waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Michael Burrowes
  • Publication number: 20230058656
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11400377
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving user experience in a video game. In some embodiments, the techniques utilize one or more snapshots of the video game over time to adjust a pose of a user's input device in the video game. For example, the user's input device may be a spatially tracked controller which has a tracked pose in the video game. A user input may indicate a button pressed on the spatially tracked controller (e.g., triggering firing of a shot in the video game). In some embodiments, the techniques use the snapshot(s) of the video game that capture instances prior to the user input to adjust a pose of the user input device in the video game to provide an improved user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11383170
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210283503
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for providing an in-game virtual boundary. First data is received that is indicative of a user position while the user is playing a video game. It is determined whether the user position is within a warning zone, wherein the warning zone comprises an area between a soft boundary indicative of a safe area for the user and a safe boundary indicative of one or more real-world objects around the user. Based on a relationship between the user position and the safe boundary, a visual indication of a plurality of visual indications of the in-game virtual boundary is determined to provide to the user. Second data indicative of the visual indication is transmitted to a display being viewed by the user while playing the video game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210241732
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for adjusting notes of a first musical piece based on chord data of a second musical piece. A first musical piece is accessed, wherein the first musical piece comprises a plurality of notes. Chord data associated with a second musical piece is accessed. One or more of the plurality of notes are compared to the chord data. An aspect of the one or more of the plurality of notes is changed based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Brosius, Ryan William Challinor, Paul Burrowes
  • Patent number: 11058955
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to sharing a video game asset associated with a viewer with a player of a video game broadcast. A video stream of gameplay of a video game is received, wherein the video game is being played by a player using a first computing device. The received video stream is broadcast to a second computing device associated with a viewer. Data is received, from the second computing device, indicative of a request to modify a video game asset associated with a second account of the viewer so that the video game asset is available to the player through a first account of the player. The received data is processed to cause the video game asset to be available to the player through the first account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210060434
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving user experience in a video game. In some embodiments, the techniques utilize one or more snapshots of the video game over time to adjust a pose of a user's input device in the video game. For example, the user's input device may be a spatially tracked controller which has a tracked pose in the video game. A user input may indicate a button pressed on the spatially tracked controller (e.g., triggering firing of a shot in the video game). In some embodiments, the techniques use the snapshot(s) of the video game that capture instances prior to the user input to adjust a pose of the user input device in the video game to provide an improved user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210043180
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for synthesizing waves (e.g., audio waveforms) at various frequencies. For example, techniques described herein may be used to render musical notes by generating audio waveforms. According to some embodiments, the techniques generate a wave table for an audio waveform based on a set of partial waveforms. The system determines a set of notes with a corresponding entry in the wave table and determines a set of partials for each note. The system renders, for each note, an associated waveform comprising the associated number of partials for the note from the set of partial waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Michael Burrowes
  • Publication number: 20200197817
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20200197816
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to sharing a video game asset associated with a viewer with a player of a video game broadcast. A video stream of gameplay of a video game is received, wherein the video game is being played by a player using a first computing device. The received video stream is broadcast to a second computing device associated with a viewer. Data is received, from the second computing device, indicative of a request to modify a video game asset associated with a second account of the viewer so that the video game asset is available to the player through a first account of the player. The received data is processed to cause the video game asset to be available to the player through the first account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 10421013
    Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems, computer program products and means for providing an intuitive user interface for interacting with a game console that obviates the need for, or use of, a typical game controller. In one embodiment, the user interface comprises an analog-like mechanism for manipulating a menu and icon system. The menu system allows the user to highlight a menu option or icon using movement along one axis and to activate the menu option or icon via movement on a different axis. In one embodiment, highlighting is associated with a vertical motion and activation is associated with a horizontal motion. The vertical motion can be tied to the vertical movement of a particular appendage, e.g., the up and down movement of the user's right arm, and the horizontal motion can be tied to the horizontal movement of that or another appendage, e.g., movement of the right arm or hand across the body from right to left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Challinor, Dare Matheson, Kasson D. Crooker, Marc A. Flury, Matthew C. Boch, Eran B. Egozy, Dean N. Tate
  • Patent number: 10357714
    Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems, computer program products and means for providing an intuitive user interface for interacting with a game console that obviates the need for, or use of, a typical game controller. In one embodiment, the user interface comprises an analog-like mechanism for manipulating a menu and icon system. The menu system allows the user to highlight a menu option or icon using movement along one axis and to activate the menu option or icon via movement on a different axis. In one embodiment, highlighting is associated with a vertical motion and activation is associated with a horizontal motion. The vertical motion can be tied to the vertical movement of a particular appendage, e.g., the up and down movement of the user's right arm, and the horizontal motion can be tied to the horizontal movement of that or another appendage, e.g., movement of the right arm or hand across the body from right to left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Challinor, Dare Matheson, Kasson D. Crooker, Marc A. Flury, Matthew C. Boch, Eran B. Egozy, Dean N. Tate
  • Patent number: 10220303
    Abstract: A method including displaying a multi-part visual cue that instructs a player to perform a gesture at a specified time, the multi-part visual cue including a first part indicating the gesture that is to be performed at the specified time, and a second part providing an indication of i) the specified time, and ii) a preparation period before the specified time, wherein the distance between the first and the second parts is variable over time, receiving, from a video camera, position information associated with positions of the player over time, determining a first displacement of the player using the position information, determining whether the first displacement of the player matches a first target displacement criterion associated with the multi-part visual cue, when the first displacement matches the first target displacement criterion within a timing window of the specified time, altering a gameplay characteristic of the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Schmidt, Matthew C. Boch, Jason Deling Booth, Brian Hodges Gibson, James Gerard Toepel, Michael Mandel, Jonathan Mintz, Mark Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10102836
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method that allow non-musicians to compose and perform a musical composition. Although some existing electronic devices can provide a virtual environment to compose and play musical sound digitally, manipulating such a virtual environment can be difficult and may require specific software expertise, as well as knowledge of music theory. The present disclosure provides a platform that facilitates the creation of a musical composition without such software expertise or knowledge of music theory. The platform models a musical composition as a simultaneous playback of one or more musical contents. The platform allows players to control or modify one or more of the plurality of musical contents to generate or synthesize a musical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Mintz, Eric J. Brosius, Paul Burrowes, Michael Fitzgerald, Alexander Rigopulos
  • Patent number: 9981193
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to analysis of movement that is electronically captured and recognition of which movement was performed for purposes of evaluation. This type of motion capture, analysis and evaluation can have applicability across a number of fields, such as healthcare, entertainment, communication, and manufacturing. The recognition can occur once movement information collected from sensors is inputted into the system. The system can then analyze the movement information to determine what the movement is. In some games, such as sports games, movement recognition can provide feedback to a user about what they are doing. In other games, such as dance games, movement recognition can allow for users to dance a move from a set of moves providing for a more entertaining game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Isaac Adams, Matthew C. Boch, Marc A. Flury
  • Patent number: 9842577
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods, apparatus and systems for implementing an improvised guitar playing feature on a rhythm-action game. The improvised guitar playing feature allows players to manipulate a guitar controller to produce a pleasing, musical-sounding improvised play even if the players have little experience or skill at improvising music. This feature uses quantized 8th and 16th note musical phrases, or “licks”, strung together to form authentic, melodic, and rhythmically musical and impressive guitar lines, regardless of the player's ability. The improvised guitar playing feature can also display cues directing the player to improvise in a certain manner, while still providing players a degree of musical freedom in selecting how to play. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is also directed at scoring mechanisms for evaluating improvised guitar play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Brosius, Ryan Challinor, Ethan Fenn, Gregory B. Lopiccolo, Matthew Tytel, Steven Pardo, Christopher Wilson