Patents Examined by Damon Pierce
  • Patent number: 9895614
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9884254
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed wherein real-world objects are transformed into AR terrain elements and AR events generate real-world impact. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and game pieces on a field of play. When viewed on the screen of a computing device executing the modules of the game system, the everyday objects are transformed into elements of an AR terrain while the game pieces can be augmented with various controls. Multiple viewing modes, for example, a third person view, a first person view or “POV” view from a selected game piece or a split screen view are contemplated for viewing the field of play. A subset of the augmented controls can be activated by the user to execute AR events some of which can have real-world impact. The AR events are executed based on game rules. Detection mechanisms such as colored detection can be used for detecting positions of game pieces within the field of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRIGGER GLOBAL INC.
    Inventors: Jason Yim, Mikayel Saryan
  • Patent number: 9884256
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9878258
    Abstract: An optical-based aerial gaming system comprises: a multirotor unmanned flying device comprising: a main body; a plurality of propulsion units, a wireless receiver configured to receive data via radio communication; a wireless transmitter configured to send data via radio communication; one or more light generators configured to project laser or infrared light from the unmanned flying device; and one or more light sensors configured to detect laser or infrared light projected by a separate unmanned flying device; and a remote control unit comprising: a wireless transmitter configured to send data via radio communication; and a wireless receiver configured to receive data via radio communication, wherein the unmanned flying device is configured to transmit to the remote control unit, using the wireless transmitter of the unmanned flying device, at least a portion of encoded data of the detected laser or infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROOFTOP GROUP INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Darren Scott Matloff
  • Patent number: 9846990
    Abstract: A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Larry J. Pacey, Scott H. Schulhof, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9846986
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating wagering in wagering games by presenting through a display device a user interface comprising a representation of a segmented ring, wherein each segment of the displayed segmented ring corresponds with a wagering option associated with a wagering game; receiving, through the user interface, input from a player relating to one or more desired wagers, wherein the input is received by detecting physical contact with the display device in the area of the segmented ring; and responsive to the input received, presenting, by the display device, a graphical representation of the one or more desired wagers, wherein the graphical representation comprises a form visible on the user interface, the form having a positional element relative to the displayed segmented ring indicating the outcome being wagered on and a dimensional element relative indicating the amount being wagered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy Adams
  • Patent number: 9839850
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquiries whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9827489
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gaming system projecting volumetric images onto a physical scene that includes a background and props positioned in front of the background. A gaming engine causes a projector to project an image onto the physical scene. A pointer device receives triggering commands from an operator. A camera captures an image of a portion of the physical scene being targeted by the pointer device. The captured portion includes lighting points emitted by the physical scene, the captured lighting points forming a specific pattern. A targeting system uses the specific pattern as a reference to identify a three-dimensional position of a target located within the captured portion and causes the gaming engine to modify a visible feature of the target when a when a triggering command is received at the pointer device. A method of projecting volumetric images onto the physical scene is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TRIOTECH AMUSEMENT INC.
    Inventors: Ernest Yale, Eric Marradi, Jean-Francois D'Arrisso, Yannick Solari
  • Patent number: 9814979
    Abstract: A provision apparatus provides data for a game content to an execution apparatus which generates a game screen for the game content by executing rendering processing for the game content. The apparatus receives, from the execution apparatus, a provision request of a first data, which at least includes a minimum required data on the execution start timing of the rendering processing for the game content, among the data for the game content, and a provision request of a second data among the data for the game content other than the first data, and transmits corresponding data to the execution apparatus. The apparatus receives the provision request of the second data from the execution apparatus after completing the transmission of the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 9811970
    Abstract: A system for displaying a digital scratcher ticket on a device having an interactive display. A backend data storage and processing unit creates and stores data corresponding to a digital scratcher ticket having a unique identifier. A trigger mechanism storage and processing generates a trigger signal for use by the device. Upon receipt of the trigger signal by the device, the device receives the stored data corresponding to a digital scratcher ticket created by the backend data storage and processing unit. The device then validates the data with the backend data storage and processing unit. The validated data is used to display the digital scratcher on the interactive display, but the displayed digital scratcher ticket is hidden until a user of the device interacts with the interactive display to reveal the digital scratcher ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ACTV8, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Shuster
  • Patent number: 9802127
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for a video game including user determined location information is presented. Location information (e.g. GPS, Google Maps, an entered address or the like) determined by a user of a video game is acquired. Then user determined location information relating to a physical location determined by the user is mapped to a video game environment wherein the user of the video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: BLACKBIRD TECH LLC
    Inventor: David W. Rouille
  • Patent number: 9792771
    Abstract: A system or method for providing a bingo game in which a pattern of player indicia on a player card is matched to house indicia selected during the game. The system or method includes providing a first player card of a plurality of player cards that each include a plurality of player indicia and a pattern that includes at least a portion of the player indicia, using a device to randomly select a plurality of house indicia, determining whether a triggering criterion is met during the bingo game, and awarding a prize for each player card that achieves a partial pattern match with the selected house indicia upon the determination that the triggering criterion has been met. The partial pattern match is achieved by matching the selected house indicia with a predetermined number of player indicia, but not all of the player indicia, within the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Zaki Khal
  • Patent number: 9776077
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The disclosure relates to an electronic gaming system which allows a player to make one or more inputs via human gesturing, and associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Thompson, Ian Robert Scott
  • Patent number: 9764241
    Abstract: This game system (1) includes multiple game machines (2A, 2B) connected to a network (5), allows a player of a game machine to select one of selective items on a game prepared in advance, and allows the player to play a game having content reflecting the selected item. This game system is provided with a device (32) for storing relation data for determining whether or not a predetermined connection exists between players, a device (11) for determining the selection state pertaining to the items selected by the players on the game machines, a device (11, 12) for determining, based on the relation data, other players that have the predetermined connection with the player, and a device (21) which, when the player is making the selection from the selective items, presents the player making the selection with the selection state of other players having the predetermined connection with that player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Mito, Hidekazu Shimizu, Masanori Kono, Koji Makino, Masayuki Shamoto, Satoshi Tsuchida, Ryo Horie, Yuki Nakano, Naoko Nasuhara, Tomohiro Inami
  • Patent number: 9754454
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to integrating into an existing hard copy lottery ticket system for adaptation to sell soft copies of lottery tickets. A master virtual device can provide data communications related to a sale of a soft copy of a lottery ticket to a master terminal such that the master terminal processes the sale to a lottery authority as if the sale is for a hard copy of the lottery ticket. The master virtual device can include a virtual lottery application that is configured to receive data related to a request to purchase a soft copy of a lottery ticket, format and communicate such data to the master terminal, and communicate confirmation of the soft copy of the lottery ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MLA GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore C. Onorato, Vincent S. Onorato
  • Patent number: 9751009
    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 means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TimePlay Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ira Hussman, Jon Hayes Snoddy, John Andrew Race, Mark Rider
  • Patent number: 9754448
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing durational promotions to players in an online game. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in a slot machine type of game once the player's content drops below a predetermined threshold so that the player will experience some substantial winning in the initial period. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in the slot machine type of game for a period of time once a player has purchased content to continue to play the game. This may temporarily adjusting outcome probabilities within the game in favor of a player that has recently made a purchase. This may facilitate positive player experiences subsequent to making purchases, thereby increasing further purchases and/or the likelihood thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Harmanpal Dhaliwal
  • Patent number: 9747753
    Abstract: A system and method for allowing multiple players to place independent wagers on a single game is disclosed. The game may be a skill-based game played on a skill-based slot machine type of gaming machine. The outcome of the game is based only upon the skill of the main player that is playing the skill-based game. Each wager is placed on at least one in-game event that may be achieved by the main player while playing the skill-based game. A main player is physically located at a system operator, such as a casino. Additional players may join the main player and place wagers on the skill-based games that the main player is playing. The wagers that the additional players place are treated and paid out independently from the wagers placed by the main player. Furthermore, the players and the main player may communicate with each other throughout the betting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LOOLI CORP.
    Inventors: Howard B. Katz, Denise E. Katz
  • Patent number: 9731205
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9734665
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one memory device that stores instructions that cause a processor to operate with a display device an input device to display a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game having a first end-game outcome, trigger a first instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, provide a first number of award opportunities during play of the first instance of the bonus game, complete the first instance of the bonus game in response to the first end-game outcome, store any remaining award opportunities in the at least one memory device in response to the first end-game outcome being achieved with at least one award opportunity remaining, trigger a second instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, and provide any stored remaining award opportunities during play of the second instance of the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Chan, Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smith, Jamie W. Vann