Patents Examined by Binh-An D. Nguyen
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Patent number: 6267669Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: International Game TechnologyInventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Anthony J Baerlocher, Chris T. Brune, Jason Mayeroff
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Patent number: 6241612Abstract: Real-time synchronized voice communications during a multi-player game is disclosed. A server is connected to client computers, players. Players can speak into a microphone and have their voice transmitted to all players or a select few. Digitized voice communications are transmitted along with other game data. Player speech and game data is synchronized and reproduced in the same order it was captured.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventor: Rafael Heredia
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Patent number: 6238291Abstract: A game which two or more players can play, such as cards and mahjong, is played by connecting a home TV game machine with portable game machines having displays, where images for a common field are displayed on the TV, and private hands of a player, which should be concealed from the other players, are displayed only on a display of the player's local machine so that strategies an actual game is enjoyed. A plurality of portable game machines with displays are connected via a cartridge to a home TV game machine to which a ROM cassette is inserted for playing a game. The cartridge of which one end is inserted to the portable game machine for connection has a connection terminal on the other end, and the connection terminal and a controller connection terminal of the home TV game machine are connected with a communication cable.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Seta CorporationInventors: Jun Fujimoto, Nobuyuki Nonaka, Masahiro Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6238288Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. The pay schedule for higher speeds of game play typically provides a higher payout percentage, which attracts players and provides an incentive to play faster and for longer periods of time. The greater speed of play and time period of playing may actually increase revenues derived from the gaming device, even though the payout percentage is higher. Speed of game play may be calculated by measuring the number of games played in a predetermined time period, or the time elapsed between games. The gaming device may select a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on this speed. Alternatively, the gaming device may determine a multiplier based on the speed of game play, and adjust a base payout table in accordance with the multiplier.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6230393Abstract: In a component mounting device in which a component is picked up and mounted on a circuit board by a suction nozzle, an amount of displacement between a center position of the suction nozzle 11 and that of the picked-up component 12 is measured, and when it is larger than a preliminarily determined value, a warning is generated indicating that the parts cassette 3 from which the component 12 has been fed is in abnormal condition, as well as the mounting action of the component 12 is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masato Hirano, Yoshinori Sakai, Tateo Nakashima
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Patent number: 6227970Abstract: A slot machine includes a housing having a front side with an operation panel disposed thereon, a main display device having a screen disposed on the front side of the housing above the operation panel, and a sub-display device disposed on the operation panel. A main input device accepts manual operation of a player and issues information corresponding to the manual operation of the player. The main input device includes a first input device provided on the operation panel and a second input device provided on the screen of the main display device. A game controller controls a process of a game performed on a screen of the main display device based on the information issued from the main input device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Shimizu, Eiji Aida
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Patent number: 6227973Abstract: A video game system for simulating a golf game displays three-dimensional image information indicative of the terrain profile of a golf course and image information of a golf ball on the display screen of a television monitor. The golf ball is moved on the display screen based on the image information indicative of the terrain profile and a command from a controller operated by the game player. A guide comprising a matrix of lines is displayed on the display screen, and the luminance and length of each of said lines are established based on the image information indicative of the terrain profile. The guide is three-dimensionally displayed over the three-dimensional image information indicative of the terrain profile on said display screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1997Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuji Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6217027Abstract: A computerized portable pneumatic target apparatus includes at least one target; a computer located at the firing point of a shooting range and connected by a first wireless radio frequency link to the at least one target for controlling operation of the at least one target; a shot detector located at the firing point and connected by either a second wireless radio frequency link or a wire to the computer; an air operated mechanism for raising and lowering the at least one target; a source of air pressure located near the at least one target and connected to the air operated mechanism; and a source of direct current located near the at least one target and connected to the air operated mechanism and the first wireless radio frequency link.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: United States of AmericaInventors: Bruce E. Amrein, Thomas C. Fry, Richard N. Ware, Douglas J. Struve
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Patent number: 6217446Abstract: A device for proceeding a game in correspondence with the game scores. The game device (10) enables game play by moving a viewpoint arranged inside a three-dimensional virtual space, and comprises a storing unit (102) for storing a plurality of movement courses of the viewpoint branching off from a certain scene in the three-dimensional virtual space, together with the conditions for such branch-off, a picture processing unit (108-116) for performing data processing (101) to form pictures in accordance with the operation signals from an operating unit through the implementation of algorithms, and for performing picture conversion to form the image viewed from such viewpoint, and a course selecting unit (101) for selecting the movement course corresponding to the game score from among said plurality of viewpoint movement courses, and for moving the viewpoint along such selected movement course.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Kabushi Kaisha Sega EnterprisesInventors: Kazutomo Sanbongi, Kouji Ohto, Takashi Oda
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Patent number: 6210278Abstract: A hand-held game that includes a plurality of input devices, an audible output device, and a controller coupled to each of the input devices and to the audible output device. Preferably, each of the input devices require a different mechanical action for action, such as a pressure switch, a pull switch or a rotational switch. The controller outputs a first command signal to the audible output device that relates to a first selected input device. The controller then outputs a second command signal to the audible output device relating to a second selected input device when the first selected input device is actuated within a predetermined period of time. When the first selected input device is not actuated within the predetermined period of time, or when an input device other than the selected input device is actuated in response to the first command signal, the controller outputs an error command signal to the audible output device.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Klitsner Industrial Design, LLCInventor: Daniel B. Klitsner
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Patent number: 6202299Abstract: A semiconductor chip connection component is provided with an adhesive, desirably in a solid, non-tacky condition on its bottom surface. The adhesive may be present in a pattern covering less than all of the component bottom surface, so as to provide a void-free interface when the adhesive bonds the component to the top surface of a chip. The adhesive desirably is brought to a flowable condition by heat transferred from the chip itself. The connection component may include leads having base metal strips in a trace area underlying the top surface and noble metal portions protruding beyond an edge of the top layer. A flowable, curable material encapsulates the base metal sections. Because the base metal sections desirably are free of undercuts, the same can be encapsulated in a void-free manner during formation of the component.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Tessera, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. DiStefano, Gus Karavakis, Zlata Kovac, Craig Mitchell
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Patent number: 6203425Abstract: The present Invention provides image generating technology capable of expressing a complex yet natural movement of the characters with less image data regardless of the playback speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega EnterprisesInventor: Shinobu Hayashi