Patents Examined by Peter J Iannuzzi
  • Patent number: 11557176
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to at least display a plurality of reel strips located within a matrix of symbol display positions, and present a first oversized symbol associated with a first game award in the matrix, where the first oversized symbol occupies at least a first symbol display position and a second symbol display position. The processor is also configured to present a third symbol in a third symbol display position adjacent at least one of the first symbol display position or the second symbol display position, and divide the first oversized symbol display position to display separate symbols in at least the first symbol display position and the second display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary Penacho, Bradley John Hendricks, Lorin Santucci, Patrick Finch, Casey Lyle Condron, Joseph Masinter
  • Patent number: 11554322
    Abstract: A game controller includes a touchpad that a user, viewing a virtual keyboard on a screen, can soft-touch to move a cursor on the screen and then hard-touch to move the cursor and also send location data to a processor for inputting a letter from the virtual keyboard. Machine learning is used to predict a next letter or next word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Cen Zhao, Chung-Hsien Yu, Samuel Ian Matthews
  • Patent number: 11547945
    Abstract: A content-generation guidance system for assisting a user in generating digital content, the system comprising a content analysis unit operable to analyse a first set of pre-existing user-generated content to identify one or more aspects of the content, a correlation identification unit operable to identify a correlation between the one or more identified aspects of the first set of content and user ratings of that content, and a content modification unit operable, when a user is generating new digital content, to identify one or more aspects of the new digital content for modification in dependence upon the identified correlation or correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Hogarth Andall
  • Patent number: 11541305
    Abstract: Context-sensitive remote controls for use with electronic devices (e.g., eyewear device). The electronic device is configured to perform activities (e.g., email, painting, navigation, gaming). The context-sensitive remote control includes a display having a display area, a display driver coupled to the display, and a transceiver. The remote control additionally includes memory that stores controller layout configurations for display in the display area of the display by the display driver. A processor in the context-sensitive remote control is configured to establish, via the transceiver, communication with an electronic device, detect an activity currently being performed by the electronic device, select one of the controller layout configurations responsive to the detected activity, and present, via the display driver, the selected controller layout configuration in the display area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Nielsen, Jonathan Rodriguez, Yu Jiang Tham
  • Patent number: 11532207
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, comparing an input received from a peripheral device associated with an execution of a gaming application with a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is based on a first identification of a first user, a second identification of the peripheral device, and a third identification of stimuli presented as part of the execution of the gaming application. Responsive to the comparing, a determination may be made that the input exceeds the threshold value. Responsive to the determination, a validation request may be transmitted to a user device of the first user. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Zavesky, David Crawford Gibbon, Lee Begeja, Paul Triantafyllou, Bernard S. Renger
  • Patent number: 11524227
    Abstract: Wireless Blue Tooth® headphone controller comprises a game controller having a pair of wireless Blue Tooth® headphones removably stored within the game controller housing and a detachable pair of Blue Tooth® headphones in a separate case capable of being in electrical communication with the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew Lee
  • Patent number: 11521455
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a symbol selector configured to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display in a respective plurality of display positions in a display area, the set of symbols including a plurality of defined special symbols, and a special symbol determiner configured to determine whether at least two special symbols are displayed adjacent each other. The gaming system is configured to hold special symbols determined to be displayed adjacent each other at respective display positions for at least one subsequent selection of symbols. The gaming system further comprises an outcome evaluator configured to determine a game outcome based on the displayed symbols including the displayed held special symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Lipi Gupta
  • Patent number: 11514754
    Abstract: In one aspect, an electronic gaming machine includes a game controller that executes instructions that cause the game controller to: (i) display a plurality of reels to form a matrix of symbol positions; (ii) simulate spinning the plurality of reels; (iii) display a plurality of player-populated symbol positions within the matrix; (iv) display a first player-selectable symbol of a sequence of player-selectable symbols; (v) receive, during the spinning, an add gesture associated with the first player-selectable symbol representing a request for addition of the first player-selectable symbol to the matrix; (vi) add the first player-selectable symbol to a first player-populated symbol position in response to the add gesture; (vii) simulate stopping each reel of the plurality of reels, the first player-selectable symbol overlaying a reel symbol at the first player-populated symbol positions; and (viii) evaluate the symbols displayed within the matrix to determine a game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Jana Rose Cash-Silva
  • Patent number: 11514751
    Abstract: A detection system according to the present invention includes a control device detecting fraud performed in a game table by using a result of an image analysis performed by an image analyzing device, and substitute currency for gaming used for this detection system has a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of plastic layers having different colors are stacked, a coloring layer is included at least in the middle, and white layers or thin-color layers (may be layers having a color thinner than that of the coloring layer) are stacked on both sides of the coloring layer disposed in the middle. A multi-layer structure, in which a coloring layer is included, and white layers or thin-color layers (the layers may be layers of a color that is thinner than that of the coloring layer) are stacked on both sides of the coloring layer of this middle, is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ANGEL GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 11504613
    Abstract: A game controller is provided. The game controller includes a first handle body. The first handle body includes a first control module, a first operation interface, a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is a male connector. The first handle body is connected to a mobile device through the first connection portion. The second connection portion is a female connector. The first handle body is connected to a second handle body through the second connection portion and a signal transmission wire. A first terminal and a second terminal of the signal transmission wire each includes a male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DEXIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ho-Lung Lu, Chin-Lung Lin, Hsiu-Hsuan Lin
  • Patent number: 11504614
    Abstract: A housing assembly for video game controller includes a body. The body includes an upper body and a lower body, the lower body, and two holding portions. The lower body is assembled with the upper body and anti-slip sleeves are sleeved on the holding portions. The anti-slip sleeves are detachably connected to the holding portions, and the anti-slip sleeves are smoothly connected to the body. The housing assembly for video game controller is not easy to slip off from hands of users and improves comfortable sensation of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Xiaohua Luo
  • Patent number: 11491397
    Abstract: In a first mode, based on an operation input to a controller of a first player, a game system controls a first character object and controls a pointer object. In the first mode, the game system automatically controls a second character object and causes the second character object to perform a predetermined action on a position in a virtual space indicated by the pointer object. In a second mode, the game system controls the first character object based on the operation input to the controller of the first player and controls the second character object based on an operation input to a controller of a second player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Motokura, Shinya Hiratake, Katsuyasu Ando, Jonathan Johnson, Brandon Dulyea
  • Patent number: 11484784
    Abstract: An interaction facilitator system is operable acquire community member dialogue videos generated by community members, wherein each community member dialogue video includes dialogue spoken by the community member that describes their viewpoints and opinions regarding an associated subject media content event. A community member dialogue video is acquired from a community member while the community member plays a uniquely generated geo-activity game wherein the community member completes an activity at each of a plurality of game play locations that lie along a game play route. At the end of play of the geo-activity game, the community member receives an incentive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventors: Swapnil Tilaye, Srinath Raghavan
  • Patent number: 11478709
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for augmenting a video game with an image of a real world person. One example method includes executing the video game at a server. The video game is played by a user via a user device. The method includes identifying a generic spectator within the video game. The method includes determining virtual coordinates associated with the generic spectator. The method includes receiving, at the server, data associated with the image of the real world person. The data is usable to display at least part of the image of the real world person within the video game. The method includes inserting said at least part of the image of the real world person into the video game at the virtual coordinates associated with the generic spectator. The method includes streaming video to the user device. The video includes said at least part of the image of the real world person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Khan, Matt DeVico, Shawn He
  • Patent number: 11475736
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a wagering game which is configured to provided one or more bonus hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Patent number: 11471773
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) game system hosted and executed on a mobile client enables occlusion of AR game elements by objects in the real world. The mobile client captures a camera view of an environment including a real-world object. The AR game system identifies a cluster of feature points associated with the real-world object and generates a mesh from the cluster. The AR game system represents the mesh on a virtual coordinate plane, such that an AR game element can appear to interact with the real-world object. The AR game system renders, on the mobile client, the AR game element to appear as though it is occluded by the real-world object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Krikey, Inc.
    Inventors: Ketaki Lalitha Uthra Shriram, Jhanvi Samyukta Lakshmi Shriram, Yusuf Olanrewaju Olokoba
  • Patent number: 11468740
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a computing device, comprises enabling a player to play a wager-based game, the wager-based game being configured to present a plurality of wagering opportunities on a display, each of which being configured such that a player interaction therewith via a player interface generates a wager whose outcome is determined by a random process. First player interactions with at least some of the plurality of wagering opportunities may be received and corresponding wagers generated. Second player interactions with in-game items not associated with wagers may be received, the in-game items not associated with wagers having no present value to the player but having respective future potential values. During game play, it may be determined whether one or more predetermined in-game conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: AKKADIAN ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: Michael M Oberberger
  • Patent number: 11465042
    Abstract: A game controller according to the present disclosure includes: a housing; and an internal structural body accommodated inside of the housing. The internal structural body includes at least: an internal frame having an installation surface and a recess adjacent to the installation surface; a battery that is accommodated in the recess of the internal frame and has a first surface that opposes a bottom surface of the recess and a second surface on a side opposite to that of the first surface; and a flexible substrate that is installed on the installation surface of the internal frame and includes a conductive pattern. The flexible substrate is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the second surface of the battery accommodated in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Okamura, Masaya Takei
  • Patent number: 11439897
    Abstract: Sliding movements between a button drive member and a manipulation button are reduced in a manipulation input device having a function of providing the haptic sense. Manipulation buttons (20R, 20L) individually have contact portions (20b) on sides opposite to sides to be pushed by a user, and are movable about rotation center lines (Ax1). Actuators (30R, 30L) and (230) have button drive members (31, 231) that contact the contact portions (20b) of the manipulation buttons (20L, 20R), and apply, to the manipulation buttons (20L, 20R), forces in opposite directions to directions in which the manipulation buttons (20L, 20R) are pushed. In addition, the actuators (30R, 30L, 230) have guides (34a, 234a) that define the directions in which the button drive members (31, 231) move, and the button drive members (31, 231) are slidable along the guides (34a, 234a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawashima, Ryo Fukikoshi, Masaho Morita
  • Patent number: 11439899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a controller capable of changing volume. The controller according to the present invention includes a housing; a volume changing unit installed outside the housing and having one end and the other end movable with respect to the housing, respectively; a driving unit for moving at least one of one end and the other end of the volume changing unit; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve a user's feeling of use and to enhance satisfaction and fun by variously changing the volume, shape, etc. of a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Dong Soo Choi, Tae Hoon Kim, Sang Youn Kim