Patents Examined by Jessica J. Harrison
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Patent number: 6347813Abstract: An interactive game is disclosed which may take the form of a board game, a hand held game or a yard game. It includes a series of printed circuits or devices which may be concealed within a playing surface and an electronic detector for the circuits. Easily as many as 8 or 16 different discrete device may be detected and distinguished. Stored messages associated with each device or combinations of devices is displayed or audibly reproduce the messages. This invention is also applied to interactive books and games which have multiple layers with superimposed pages or boards. Interference between superimposed pages or boards is eliminated by surrounding each concealed device with a conductive pattern which has no resonant frequency in the range of detection of the electronic detector or probe. Likewise, concealed devices are not located on immediately following pages or boards at the same location on the page. The method of manufacturing such interactive games or books is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventors: Jack Star, Hal H. Berger
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Patent number: 6348007Abstract: A golf cart control and monitoring system on a golf course including a plurality of sensors arranged along a golf cart path at locations corresponding to at least a teeing ground, a fairway, and a putting green of each hole of the golf course in which each of the sensors includes a sensor ID transmitting apparatus. Each of a plurality of golf carts traveling on the golf cart path includes a golf cart ID transmitting apparatus configured to maintain communication between the sensors and the golf carts. Also included is a golf cart control station having a golf cart location device configured to determine locations of the golf carts traveling on the golf cart path. The golf cart location device includes a radio transmitter/receiver configured to receive information on the golf cart IDs and a current location of the golf carts in the golf course from the sensors and the golf carts.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kawasaki, Nobuo Akiba, Hiroshi Yoshino
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Patent number: 6345437Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metal ceramic substratum for use as a substrate in electrical or electronic circuits or components which includes utilizing an unique form mold process. At least one blank ceramic plate is shaped in a form mold through a desired set of process steps. The steps include heating and cooling to desired temperatures at desired heat and cool rates.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Curamik Electronics GmbHInventors: Jurgen Schulz-Harder, Karl Exel
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Patent number: 6346048Abstract: There are provided a game system, game machine, game data distribution machine, image data distribution system and computer available information which can synchronize clock signals between a plurality of devices. A game data distribution machine (100) includes a machine clock generation section (180), a clock selection section (160) and a clock generation section (120). By using these sections, a reference clock is generated as a basis of synchronization. The game data distribution machine also includes a clock and data superposition section (170) which superposes the reference clock on a game data, the superposed game data being then distributed to game machines (200). Each of the game machines (200) includes a clock and data separation section (272) which extracts the reference clock from the superposed data and a clock generation section (220) which generates an operation clock for each of game execution means including a game data production section (290) and so on, based on the reference clock.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Namco Ltd.Inventors: Toru Ogawa, Shigeru Sato, Atsushi Wachi, Hiroshi Nishiura, Akihiko Moriguchi
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Patent number: 6341779Abstract: A mathematical card and dice game comprising a deck of cards, a set of three dice, and a timing device, the deck of cards divided into four suits of fifteen cards each, ten of which are numbered one through ten, the remaining five non-numeric cards having letters which can take on any value as defined by the players prior to the game. A predetermined number of cards are dealt to players who use the values of the three dice rolled, common mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and their knowledge of math to make mathematical relationships that equate to the value of cards in their hands within a predetermined amount of time as tracked by a timing device. A successful match occurs when the card value equals the numeric result of a mathematical operation involving all three dice.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Inventor: Arthur Merritt
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Patent number: 6342010Abstract: A video game system is described which includes a wireless game controller which stores information about the user of the controller. The controller includes a memory for storing the information. The information is communicated through wireless transmissions to a processor which can operate a video game. The personalized information can include, for example, the user's name, skill level, preferred characters, handicaps, limitations, and/or historical game scores. The game controllers can include a wireless receiver for receiving communications from the processor to update information stored in the controller. Several different communication operations and protocols are described, including storing a user identification code in the controller with corresponding detailed information stored in the processor, or storing detailed information in the hand held controller and down loading the information to the processor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Inventor: Russell Dale Slifer
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Patent number: 6342009Abstract: In the input device, which inputs signals to a game machine using a computer, one or more operating members are provided on each of plural outer surfaces of housing members, a filmy substrate having flexibility is bent in conformity with the insides of the plural surfaces of the housing member, contact portions adapted to perform ON-OFF operation in response to operations of the operating members are formed respectively on the bent surfaces of the substrate, and when the operating members are operated, signals corresponding respectively to operations of the operating members are inputted to the game machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Soma
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Patent number: 6340330Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a game device which gives variety to a fighting game for leading a player to play the game repeatedly, and to provide an information storage medium usable in the game device. The player can select one of a normal game mode in which a game character controlled by the player fights against an enemy game character and a weapon obtaining mode in which the player's game character can obtain an item (e.g., weapon) to be used. The weapon obtained in the weapon obtaining mode can be used in the normal game mode. Depending on the weapon used by the player's game character, various functions such as the number and type of special techniques, the basic position, a series of actions subsequent to the basic position, a hit area of weapon, offensive power, durability and so on may be changed in the same game character controlled by the player. The weapon obtaining mode may also be used as an operation guidance mode for beginners.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: Namco Ltd.Inventors: Masuya Oishi, Teruaki Konishi, Hiroaki Yotoriyama, Tadashi Iguchi
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Patent number: 6340332Abstract: A computer readable program product storing a program of a ball-playing type game which can smoothly express the continuous action of a player before and after a player obtains a ball when throwing the ball in any direction in accordance with operation of the user in the ball-playing game, wherein an input operation of the user is accepted from before the fielder receives the ball, a series of motions up to the fielder catching the ball and throwing it is judged in response to any input operation, and the motion is used to change the display up until the catching and throwing before the fielder catches the ball, such a program, and a ball-playing type game apparatus and method.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: Square Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shiyu Rimoto, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Patent number: 6338680Abstract: A system for transferring game saves between a game console and a personal computer. The system includes a game save editor that allows a user to edit game saves stored in memory of a computer. The game save may be obtained from a hard disk of a personal computer or a memory card in a game console.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Datel Electronics Ltd.Inventor: Michael Connors
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Patent number: 6336865Abstract: The game scene reproducing machine includes a reproducing unit for reproducing a game scene of a game machine having an instruction unit for instructing output of the game scene while a game is being executed, and outputting game scene reproducing information is outputted, which includes game history information having timing information of output instruction, and control information and manipulation information of the game and a receiving unit for receiving the game scene reproducing information, wherein image data of the game scene that has been reproduced in accordance with the game history information, is outputted. The game scene reproducing system includes the game scene reproducing machine, the game machine or machines and a communication network in which the reproducing machine and the game machine or machines are connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoto Kinjo
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Patent number: 6336864Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus allowing for an accurate determination of a collision of a player's moving object traveling at high speed with an obstacle. A relative coordinate calculation section 21 calculates the relative coordinates of another movable object by using the position of the player's movable object as the origin. A relative speed calculation section 22 calculates the relative speed of the player's moving object and the other movable object. If the relative speed exceeds a predetermined value, a hit check position decision section 23 equally divides a distance traveled by the player's moving object at the relative speed in {fraction (1/60)} seconds into segments, each of the segments not exceeding the length L of the player's moving object, to determine the number of hit checks, and sets one or more hit check positions between the player's moving object and the other movable object on their trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Namco Ltd.Inventor: Kensuke Nakanishi
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Patent number: 6336860Abstract: A casino game of chance incorporates a pattern of a plurality of symbols such as a matrix of dice or playing card images or the like. From this matrix, numerous single line and multi-line game versions having varying payoffs and volatility can be played, thereby offering a wide variety of games that would thus be desirable to players and casino operators.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Prime Table Games LLCInventor: Derek J. Webb
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Patent number: 6336861Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a game machine and information storage medium that make it possible to encourage players who have selected multi-player mode to continue playing. The maximum number of game stages that can be cleared by players in multi-player mode is set to be greater than the maximum number of game stages that can be cleared by a player in single-player mode. In single-player mode, the game is over at the point at which each course is cleared. In multi-player mode, a continuation privilege in the next course (a course that is more difficult) is granted when the current course is cleared. The privilege to continue playing the next course is granted to the player with the higher score, and is also given at a certain probability to the player with the lower score.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Namco, Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Konoe, Yosuke Kuroda
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Patent number: 6336863Abstract: A gaming machine such as a slot machine with a bonus game is provided. The bonus indicator displays the possible bonus award before it is determined whether or not the bonus has been earned.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: International Game TechnologiesInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Aaron T. Jones
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Patent number: 6334813Abstract: A ball game is provided, wherein the place to which the ball is moved can be input and designated according to the most suitable timing while balancing the movement of displayed players and the ease of the operation by the user. A button operation by the user can be accepted before the fielder receives the ball and, in the case that there is a button operation, the location corresponding to the operated button is judged. Then, the motion of the catching and the throwing of the ball by the fielder is judged so as to use the motion in order to process the motion before the fielder catches the ball. Finally, the display is shifted to the movement of the throwing the ball in the direction of the designated location.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Square Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shiyu Rimoto, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Patent number: 6335919Abstract: A network management method for performing communication between any nodes in a network wherein a plurality of nodes are connected, where a connection request having at least a logical node name of the destination of connection is successively propagated to a node having a possibility of active connection with the node of the destination of connection based on information on nodes in the vicinity of that node stored in each node; a route for substantially connecting desired nodes is searched for; and the nodes are made to substantially connect and communication between the nodes is made to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Inventor: Hirotoshi Maegawa
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Patent number: 6332838Abstract: In this video game device, a three-dimensional game field 70 laterally extended around a tubular subject is provided. The 3D game field 70 is divided into display regions of vertically 12 lines by circumferentially 16 columns, and each display region is capable of displaying a panel. A two-dimensional field table 80 is structured by spreading the 3D game field 70 across a 2D plane, and is provided with a plurality of entries each corresponding to one of the display regions of the 3D game field 70. To the entries of the 2D field table 80, pattern data of the panels is stored, and texture data corresponding thereto is placed on the corresponding display region of the 3D game field 70. Compared to a conventional game device applying a 2D game field, the degree of freedom and the level of variety of a game are enhanced by the substantially up-scaled display range of a-screen-basis game field, and game descriptions can be more creative with a 3D appearance.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Yamagami
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Patent number: 6332840Abstract: A video processing system is described including a video processing device which generates a sequence of video display frames on a display unit under the control of a stored program, and a unique operation controlling device which is connected to the video processing device and which supplies signals in response to an operator's manipulation, to change the video data generated by the video processing device. The video processing device includes a replaceable program memory, first data receiving circuitry, a central processing unit, first data sending circuitry and a video signal generation circuitry. The operation controlling device may include various operation controlling buttons, switches, an operation member, rotor bodies, rotation detection mechanisms, counting circuitry, reset signal generation circuitry, second receiving circuitry, transfer circuitry and second sending circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Ninetendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Nishiumi, Kazuo Koshima
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Patent number: 6328651Abstract: A target shooting toy which optically projects an image of a target which can be aimed at and hit. The toy includes an image projector that projects an optical image onto a wall or screen and a toy gun which is aimed at the target. The toy detects hits by detecting light received by the gun reflected from the target. The toy has a removable electronics cartridge which has circuitry that customizes image motion, sequences and game play to the particular image being displayed. The toy also has a removable image module that contains the image or images of one type of target. The image modules and the electronics cartridges are matched so the toy may be used with many types of target images and yet be customized for use with each type of target. The projector is driven relative to two coordinates axes to provide more realistic motion and motion sequences. The toy gun has a pump action reload and trigger cocking mechanism, and provides a simulated recoil when fired.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Toymax Inc.Inventors: Steven Lebensfeld, Brian Waldman, Chan John Ping, Paul Dowd