Patents Examined by Jason Yen
  • Patent number: 10213689
    Abstract: A method for modeling a virtual identity in a digital media system is disclosed. A plurality of categories are defined according to identity characteristics of a virtual identity. A degree of a membership is modeled in a category for members of the category, wherein each category includes a plurality of features. Changes to membership are simulated, wherein the degree of membership includes a gradient value in a category feature over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Douglas Alan Harrell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10207190
    Abstract: Technologies for web-based game execution include a computing device with a web rendering engine and a native game engine library. The web rendering engine establishes a scripting environment that issues calls to a game engine interface established by the web rendering engine. The scripting environment may be a JavaScript engine. In response to calls to the game engine interface, the game engine interface issues calls to the native game engine library. The native game engine library issues native graphics commands to a graphics bridge of the computing device. The native graphics commands may be OpenGL calls. The graphics bridge translates the native graphics commands to a web graphics context, which renders graphical game content to a web content element of the web rendering engine. The web graphics context may be a WebGL context, and the web content element may be a canvas element. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Guangzhen Li, Zhongsong Lin, Chun Gao, Ningxin Hu
  • Patent number: 10201757
    Abstract: A method and system to transfer assets between interactive social games is described. In some embodiments, the method generates a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game. The method further generates the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in a second computer-implemented game. The transfer mechanism is capable of transferring an in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game. The method transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game using the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Uris Bronstein Bendayan
  • Patent number: 10201754
    Abstract: User log-in to a user account of an online game may be incentivized by providing awards to the users for logging in. Reengagement time periods for individual ones of the user accounts may be determined. The reengagement time periods may be determined to expire at times when a user may be logged out and/or may be expected to be logged out. By way of non-limiting example, the reengagement time periods may expire during wait periods for ongoing in-game tasks. The awards may be provided based on the expiration of the reengagement time periods and the user accounts conveying satisfaction of award redemption criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Topkins, Gaoqi Zheng, Devin Nambiar
  • Patent number: 10195533
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first gamer, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second gamer, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second gamers determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Kim Rom, Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Jacob Wolff-Petersen, Bruce Hawver, Francis Arnold Grever, Tino Soelberg, Christopher John Nicolella
  • Patent number: 10198904
    Abstract: A method of operating an electronic gaming machine includes generating an interactive game environment in accordance with game data, the interactive game environment having a viewing area may include a plurality of visible game components as a subset of the interactive game environment, displaying the viewing area with the plurality of visible game components, monitoring eye gaze of a player to collect player eye gaze data, determining a location of the eye gaze of the player relative to the viewing area using the player eye gaze data, and in response to the location of the eye gaze of the player relative to the viewing area, changing a resolution of a portion of the viewing area other than a portion of the viewing area corresponding to location of the eye gaze of the player on the viewing area. Related electronic gaming machines are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: David Froy, Edward Bowron, Reuben Dupuis, Vicky Leblanc, Karen Van Niekerk, Aaron Corey, Stefan Keilwert
  • Patent number: 10198913
    Abstract: In one implementation, an electronic five-card draw poker gaming system using common physical cards includes a plurality of physical playing cards; a scanner that is configured to identify each of the plurality of physical playing cards as they are dealt; a plurality of player computing equipment with graphical displays that are programmed to provide individualized gaming interfaces for a plurality of players; and a gaming computing system that is communicably connected to the scanner and the plurality of player computing equipment to determine five-card draw poker gaming outcomes for each of the plurality of players based on commonly dealt cards and player actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Generation Z, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Deckoff, Thomas W. Bowling, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10191612
    Abstract: Three-dimensional virtualization may include receiving captured images of an entity and/or a scene, and/or capturing the images of the entity and/or the scene. The images may be connected in a predetermined sequence to generate a virtual environment. A virtual reality application may be generated to implement controls for manipulation of the virtual environment. Gestures related to a view generated by the virtual reality application may be received. The gestures may be translated to manipulate the view generated by the virtual reality application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sunny M. Webb, Matthew Thomas Short, Robert P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 10192393
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of assessing behavior of a player of a wagering game is provided, the method comprising receiving, at a wagering gaming device, via a wireless communication interface from a wearable device worn by the player of the wagering game, physiological data of the player obtained using at least one sensor of the wearable device worn by the player, determining, using at least one processor, whether the player is exhibiting behavior exceeding at least one predefined risk threshold based at least in part on an automated analysis of the received physiological data and the player's history of gaming actions, and when it is determined that the player is exhibiting the behavior, performing at least one action by the wagering gaming device designed to reduce the exhibited behavior below the at least one predefined risk threshold in response to said determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IGT Canada Solutions ULC
    Inventor: David V. Froy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10186114
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine for a providing a jackpot bonus in a gaming system A jackpot bonus element is generated in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game and a gambling game in a gambling game portion of the hybrid game is triggered when a player initiates an encounter in the entertainment game with the bonus element. It is then determined if the player wins the gambling game triggered by the player's encounter with the bonus element in the entertainment game a payout is provided to the player when it is determined that the player has won the gambling game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10179289
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for reading graphically-encoded identifiers from physical trading cards through image-based template matching in order to incorporate game items from the identified trading cards in a video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.
    Inventor: Spencer D. Stirling
  • Patent number: 10173141
    Abstract: A system that may be utilized for sending and locking text messages is provided. The system may allow a user to send an electronic message that is encrypted, locked, hidden, or otherwise made unviewable by the system to form a locked message. The locked message may be formed by associating a game with the message and requiring that a recipient play the game and satisfy an objective of the game before the message is “unlocked” or made viewable and displayed for the recipient. The locked messages may be sent to multiple recipients or to groups and may provide opportunities for competitive or cooperative play between recipients. Promotions, coupons, incentives, coupons, and marketing materials may be sent as locked messages and require or incentivize engagement by recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TEXTA, INC.
    Inventors: Oren Schindler, Kristen Nelson, Kris Fernando, Dana Deskiewicz
  • Patent number: 10173120
    Abstract: There is provided is a method and computer program product for selecting an appropriate golf ball for a subject by using a mobile computer device with a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Troutner, Adam Rehberg
  • Patent number: 10169774
    Abstract: A network based indoor positioning and geofencing system and method is described. Beacons are disposed within a physical premises and each beacon transmits a signal containing identifying information. A networked indoor positioning module receives measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength. The networked indoor positioning module uses the measured reference points to generate calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon. At least one geofence is associated with the physical premises and the geofence includes some of the calculated signal strength values. A wireless device receives a beacon identifier and a beacon signal strength, when the wireless device is in or near a geofence associated the physical premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: NEXRF Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kerr, David Stewart
  • Patent number: 10166481
    Abstract: A method for sharing of game characters includes a game management system coupled to a first platform server and a second platform server. The game management system generates a uniform identifier, assigns the uniform identifier to a username that is used by a user to log in the first platform server and the second platform server, and transmits the uniform identifier to a game server. The game server creates or retrieves a game character based upon the uniform identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Guangzhou Aijiuyou Information Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jie Liang, Shunyan Zhu, Yong Nie, Huanwen Chen
  • Patent number: 10159895
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, and a touch sensitive input module. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Kelly D. Gamble, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 10163361
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring individual assessment data that includes behavior from player of a construction toy. The construction toy includes at least one sensor to detect an activity of the player with the construction toy. The method further includes determining a goal for the player based on the individual assessment data and a set of group assessment data. The method also includes providing a teaching based on the goal. The method includes permitting the player to play with the construction toy with reduced monitoring or intervention by the processing device during a free play period. The method further includes in response to a determination that free play period is over, prompting the player to perform an activity based on the goal. The method also includes in response to a determination that the player has completed the activity, providing a first reinforcement message to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Cong Chen, Ajay Chander, Kanji Uchino
  • Patent number: 10155158
    Abstract: A method of rendering a grid based user interface includes selecting a gaming object with an illumination value to be updated. The gaming objects located directly adjacent to the selected gaming object each having an associated illumination value. The updated illumination value takes into account the illumination values of the directly adjacent gaming objects. The game object is rendered using the updated illumination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Manuel Kurt Bosze
  • Patent number: 10152134
    Abstract: A system includes a display configured to display a graphical simulation, a computer configured to run a software program designed to display the graphical simulation on the display, and a stylus constructed and arranged to be manipulated by a user of the system in at least two dimensions to affect the graphical simulation. The stylus includes an actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the user upon receiving a control signal from the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin B. Ramsay, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, David Birnbaum, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel, Christopher J. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 10146930
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a computer machine such as a casino game machine includes a remote activation arrangement that does not require the computer machine to complete an online communication or series of communications. The method and system utilize a QR type code associated with each computer machine to simplify the communication of necessary information to an online website supported by a computer server. A separate mobile device of an operator or user scans a QR type code of the machine and uses the QR type code to simplify the communication and registration with the server. An authorization code is transmitted back to the mobile device and manually entered in the machine allowing the machine to function in its intended manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: JVL Labs Inc.
    Inventor: Boris Itskov