Patents Examined by Damon Pierce
  • Patent number: 10417874
    Abstract: Technologies and implementations for determining advantages in a card game via a video capture device are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: eConnect Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Valentino, III, Robert Conde, Travis Whidden, Jeremiah Morrill
  • Patent number: 10304288
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 10272330
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication mans for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TimePlay Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ira Hussman, Jon Hayes Snoddy, John Andrew Race, Mark Rider
  • Patent number: 10258869
    Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a game controller to select symbols from the memory, cause the display to display the selected symbols at the display positions, determine if the displayed symbols include a predetermined symbol, and if the predetermined symbol lands on the pay line, in response to the predetermined symbol landing on the pay line, 1) cause the display to animate the first plurality of anticipation states on the pay line, and 2) randomly determine whether to transition the predetermined symbol to the second plurality of free spin states, in response to determining the predetermined symbol transitioning to the second plurality of free spin states, cause the display to animate the second plurality of free spin states on the pay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Victor Ludwick
  • Patent number: 10238960
    Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an input mechanism that allows a user to select characters for input to a text area of a computing interface. The technology can be implemented as a virtual keyboard. Selecting a single output for the keyboard requires a user to provide two inputs. Each input is provided with reference to a different layer. Providing the first input to the first layer activates a second layer specific to the key selected with the first input. Each key in the first layer can be associated with a unique second layer. The output (e.g., a character) is determined from the second layer by providing a second input. The combination of the first and second input selects the ultimate output. In one aspect, the first input and the second input only have a directional component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Takanori Kawahara, Junnosuke Kuroda, Kohei Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 10242527
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for monitoring card game activities at gaming tables, such as for example, counting the number of card hands at gaming tables. The devices may include a sensor array network to detect game events; a microcontroller for running logic level code for checking sensors of the sensors of the sensor array network for pre-defined thresholds defining the detected game events and in response generating game event data; and a connection cable for coupling to a server device for transmitting the game event data. Systems may connect client hardware devices with sensors for monitoring card game activities. A game monitoring server may collect, process and aggregate hand event data received from the client hardware devices to generate hand count data for gaming tables. A front end interface device may receive notifications relating to hand count data for provision to end user systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ARB LABS INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Bulzacki, Vlad Cazan
  • Patent number: 10226699
    Abstract: Approach moving image storage means 10, 12 stores, in a predetermined storage section, display data used for displaying an approach moving image representing an approach method for a predetermined scene in the game, so as to associate the display data with the predetermined scene. Game process means S21 performs the game process, and display process means displays a game image on a display device. Moving image display instruction means S16, S17 receives an input made by a user for providing an instruction for displaying the approach moving image, and game scene determination means S31, S32 determines a scene in the game when the moving image display instruction means receives the input from the user. Moving image display means S36 reads, from the predetermined storage section, the approach moving image associated with the scene determined by the game scene determination means, and displays the approach moving image on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10226681
    Abstract: A golf club having a sensor that is releasably connected is disclosed, where the sensor comprises a plurality of inertial measurement units. Each inertial measurement unit is able to measure linear accelerations along three orthogonal axes and angular rates of rotation along the same three orthogonal axes. Each inertial measurement unit is positioned such that at least two of the axes of each inertial measurement unit are oriented differently. Additionally, a process may be implemented by a processor to expand the measurement range of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Thornton, Jeffrey A. Hadden, Bradley C. Glenn
  • Patent number: 10220313
    Abstract: A game server may maintain a game state for an online game. The game state may represent a plurality of game state attributes and attribute values of a virtual world in which an online game takes place. One or more game state attributes may be related to another game state attribute, whereby changing a value for a first game state attribute may affect the values available to a second game state attribute. A command entered by a first player may affect a first game state attributes (and, accordingly, one or more other game state attributes). To ensure consistency in the way that the virtual world of the online game is presented to other players, one or more related game state attributes may be locked along with the first game state attribute when executing the first command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10220285
    Abstract: A golf club having a sensor that is removably connected at one or more positions of the golf club where the sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit including an accelerometer capable of measuring linear accelerations in three orthogonal axes and a gyroscope capable of measuring an angular rate of rotation around the same axes. The sensor may further comprise a processor which may perform instructions to detect the impact of the golf club with a golf ball and determine the start of the golf swing without any additional input from the user. The sensor may further have a power management system to extend the life of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Thornton, Jeffrey A. Hadden, Bradley C. Glenn
  • Patent number: 10217317
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for providing one or more incentives to a player in association with a mobile device facilitated transfer of funds to an electronic gaming machine and/or from the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Kevin M. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10213683
    Abstract: An example game system includes a main body apparatus and a game controller. The game controller has an analog stick, a memory storing correction parameter information including a first manufacturing process correction parameter value determined in a manufacturing process in connection with the analog stick, a first user correction parameter value determined in accordance with an operation by a user onto the analog stick, and a first model adjustment value corresponding to a model of the game controller, and a first control circuit transmitting the correction parameter information to the main body apparatus. The main body apparatus has a second control circuit which selects any of the first manufacturing process correction parameter value and the first user correction parameter value and performs game processing based on the selected correction parameter value, the first model adjustment value, and input data from the analog stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Oizumi, Shinji Takenaka, Takanori Okamura, Shumpei Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10207178
    Abstract: A method of calibration a video game system can include removing an optical filter that filters out visible light from a field of view of a camera to allow the camera to view visible light. The method can also include displaying a calibration image on a display screen located within the field of view of the camera, processing the video output feed from the camera with a computer processor to identify the calibration image, and calculating with the processor coordinates that represent corners of the display screen in the field of view of the camera once the calibration image is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Steve Lavache, Richard Baxter, Thomas John Roberts
  • Patent number: 10210701
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a gambling hybrid game that provides an object launching game in which a player uses a launching device to select a trajectory and speed at which to launch a game object at a target as an entertainment game are disclosed. The entertainment engine provides the game in which a player users a launching device to launch a game object at a selected speed and trajectory towards a target and determines the results of the launch. The status of the game play are provided a game world engine that determines when gambling events should be provided based on the status of game play and a real world engine resolves the gambling event and associated wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10204484
    Abstract: A skill confirmation interleaved wagering system is disclosed. The skill confirmation interleaved wagering system uses an interactive controller, a process controller and a wager server to authenticate skill level demonstrated by a user of the interactive application by generating simulated application telemetry data, comparing it to the application telemetry data, and then authorizing wagers based on the authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Clifford Kaylin, Frank Cire
  • Patent number: 10183221
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a computer game. It can include identifying a playing user and one or more other users; storing user information about one or more other users and the game progress information of those other users; determining whether any of the other users satisfy a predetermined condition based on their game progress information; identifying any of the other users that meet the condition and qualify as substitution-target users; displaying the substitution-target users to the playing user; obtaining input from a playing user indicating the selection of at least one substitution-target user; allowing the user to play the game, and obtaining a result of a game played by a playing user on behalf of a substitution-target user, with said game being one available to the substitution-target user; and updating the game progress information of the substitution-target user in accordance with the result of that game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Hidenobu Arai
  • Patent number: 10179291
    Abstract: Examples described herein provide various devices that enable users to participate in a session. The examples allow a user that is unable to hear, or that is incapable of hearing, to participate in an in-session voice chat by receiving text messages that have been converted from speech to text (e.g., transcribed messages). The user enables a speech-to-text conversion feature on his or her own device. Based on the enabled feature, a notification can be sent to other devices participating in the session. Based on the notification, the other devices are tasked with capturing utterances and sending corresponding speech data to a speech-to-text conversion device so that voice communications can be converted to text messages. Subsequent to conversion, the text messages can be displayed in a chat interface presented as part of the displayed content for the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Evelyn R. Thomas, Jason Kepner, David Ruzyski, Jeremy L. Dewey, Martin Hall, Joshua R. McCammon, Kedar Hirve, Stephen E. Giscombe, Travis St. Onge, Aaron Cardwell, Matthew Labunka, Luca Beltrami, Heather Grantham Brodie
  • Patent number: 10166472
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for computing a reaction time from an indexed event occurring in an indexed recording to a reaction signal are described. An example method includes receiving a sample of ambient content of a computing device, determining a position identification of the sample of ambient content into an indexed recording to which the sample of ambient content matches, based on the position identification, synchronizing display of content on a user interface of the computing device to the indexed recording, and computing the reaction time. The reaction signal is generated by the computing device and is indicative of a user's response to the indexed event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Shazam Investments Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Carter Hunt, Cori Anne Shearer, Bronwyn Elizabeth Mahieu, Jeffrey Clemens Ludden, Mily Gupta Dahlke, Brian Jeffrey Kaull, Avery Li-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 10162484
    Abstract: A first accepting unit (111) of an exemplary server device (100) accepts from a user an instruction to select one of plural selection targets. A user selecting unit (112) selects, from among plural users other than the user, another user who has recommended or evaluated the selection target, selection of which has been accepted by the first accepting unit (111). A selection target selecting unit (113) selects one or more selection targets that the other user selected by the user selecting unit (112) has recommended or evaluated. A presenting unit (114) presents, to the user, information on the one or more selection targets selected by the selection target selecting unit (113).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamashita, Yosuke Oshino, Hideyuki Tatsuta, Noritaka Otsuka
  • Patent number: 10159889
    Abstract: A consensus-scoring wristband allows the user to track the points scored in a pick-up basketball game. The wristband is similar in structure and function to a sports wristband, but provides a consensus-scoring function. Each user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team's score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is also provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone. The application employs consensus-scoring, such that the input from the wristband users may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Justin Johnson