Patents Examined by Robert Mosser
  • Patent number: 10265617
    Abstract: A life and death judgment system for a go game played with a computer comprising an input reception unit that receives an input by a player, a life and death judgment processing unit that judges whether judgment subject stones or target stones are alive, and an output processing unit that outputs the result of the life and death judgment is provided. The life and death judgment processing unit tentatively determines the priority of a move at each point when implementing the judgment in a judgment realm, judges a point of a move with a high possibility and/or a move with a low possibility of a result of the judgment, changes the priority of the point of the move with a high possibility with respect to each priority of the tentatively determined point, and undertakes the move of each stone based on the priority after such change, thereby implement the judgment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: PANDANET INC.
    Inventors: Hiroko Taki, Tomoya Saeki, Hiroshi Oomoto
  • Patent number: 10238967
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Trigger Global Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Yim, Mikayel Saryan
  • Patent number: 10232261
    Abstract: A game piece with a moveable base for use in an augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed An object recognizing computing device enforces game rules. A main body is configured for unique, visible object recognition by the object recognizing computing device. A motorized base is detachably and re-attachably coupled to the main body and in communication with said transceiver, the base configured to physically move the game piece over a distance on a field of play from a first position on the field of play to a second position on the field of play in response to receiving an actuating signal from the processor. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and a plurality of game pieces on a field of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Trigger Global Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Yim, Mikayel Saryan
  • Patent number: 10220326
    Abstract: An interactive play system may include at least one projector, at least one toy model assembly and a computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one projector and the at least one assembly structure. The computing device may include a model database to store information about one or more toy model assemblies, an assembly progress detector to determine a current state of the at least one toy model assembly in accordance with information derived from the at least one toy model assembly and the information stored in the model database, a projection content database to store information about content to be projected, and an assembly-projection coordinator to selectively provide an image to be projected to the at least one projector based on the determined current state of the at least one toy model assembly and corresponding content retrieved from the projection content database. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Glen J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10179282
    Abstract: A joystick apparatus includes a handgrip connected to a hinge mechanism by a rigid bar. The hinge mechanism includes two living hinges that surround the bar and provide a restoring spring force in six degrees of motion. A third living hinge surrounds the bar and includes a disc member positioned between the center of the third living hinge and the bar. The third living hinge provides a restoring force in five degrees of motion, while rotation of the bar along its longitudinal axis causes the disc member to rotate relative the third living hinge. The rotation of the disc member relative to the third living hinge may be tracked with a Hall effect sensor. Other sensors may be provided on the hinge mechanism to track the motion of the bar and to cause a connected device to move in a fashion corresponding to movement of the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Impyrium, Inc.
    Inventors: Easton J. LaChappelle, Tim Schneider
  • Patent number: 10169952
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method for presenting a credit balance affected by a plurality of wagering games. The method can include detecting wager amounts and win amounts associated with a plurality of wagering games conducted via a wagering game machine. The method can include presenting, on a display device of the wagering game machine, graphical identifiers indicating an order in which the wager amounts will decrease a credit balance and the win amounts will increase the credit balance. The method can include according to the order, increasing the credit balance on the display device by each of the win amounts and decreasing the credit balance on the display device by each of the wager amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Ying Lou, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 10074234
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a casino table capable of adequately determining whether a dishonest act is committed on a card arranged on a casino table while reducing a maintenance cost, a personnel cost, etc., by using a normal card not containing the tag, etc. A game surface is imaged by an imaging device, the presence of the card placed on the game surface is detected from image data produced by an imaging signal issued from the imaging device, and trajectory data of the card placed on the game surface is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuki Emori, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10057680
    Abstract: A gaming machine having an audio channel outputting game sound and an audio channel intaking microphone sound and outputting chat sound is coupled with a headset having earpieces and a microphone and a Bluetooth transceiver in the headset for sending and receiving the microphone and chat sounds. A radio receiver or wired connection in the headset receives the game sounds. Circuitry in the headset is connected between the transceiver and receiver for mixing the microphone, chat, and game sounds and feeding them all to the earpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventor: Carmine J. Bonanno
  • Patent number: 10055930
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for placing one or more sports bets at an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) and for redeeming any winnings for one or more placed sports bet at an EGM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Errol A. Ramos, Mathew H. Henderson, Paul C. Ewing, Erik B. Chalko, David C. Pence, Tyrell J. Atterberry, Kimberly A. Carestia
  • Patent number: 10002492
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more additional instances of a wager-based video game provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality of the gaming machine may cause the one or more additional instances of the wager-based video game to be presented at another device either directly or indirectly via a server, such as a social media server or a server-based gaming system's server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 10002489
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for example presenting, via an autostereoscopic display device, symbols for an electronic wagering game, determining a game event value for a game event for the wagering game, determining a first symbol significance value for a first set of the symbols based on the game event value, and determining a second symbol significance value for a second set of the symbols based on the game event value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the first set of the symbols with a first autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the first symbol significance value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the second set of the symbols with a second autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the second symbol significance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Patent number: 9972161
    Abstract: A bonus display and gaming machine with a bonus display are disclosed. The bonus display includes a square video display arranged in a diamond pattern to display content such as a bonus wheel. Back illuminated inner and outer rings are mounted to cover at least portions of the video display and are back illuminated by, for example, light emitting diodes. To accommodate one or more pointers displayed on the video display the inner ring includes a cut-out to reveal each video pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon Bernard, Karl Wudtke
  • Patent number: 9931571
    Abstract: Real time interactive networked gaming is provided with two different classes of bookmarked online game players: “Friends” and “Rivals.” “Friends” are game players that are known personally. “Rivals” are game players who are not known personally but whom one has played against in the past in an online gaming scenario. Game software may allow chatting or other direct communication with “Friends” but not with “Rivals.” Rivals may be tracked to a limited degree so that for example it is possible to play against the Rival when he or she is online. Rivals may for example be players who you wish to track or keep track of, but in a manner that is safe for both you and the “rival.” When a player goes online again, he or she can see whether his or her Rivals are online and invite them to play another game. Inviting Rivals to play may be selectable, so an online player can invite Friends, Rivals or both to play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wing Cho
  • Patent number: 9882981
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating confirmation of completion of a transaction for state synchronization over a non reliable network using signature processing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a read request from a first client, sending a last known signature with a context object to the first client in response to receiving the read request, and receiving an appended signature from the first client with a context object for a transaction at the first client. The appended signature includes the last known signature and an increment by the first client. The operation of receiving the appended signature occurs upon execution of the transaction at the first client. The method further includes updating the last known signature to the appended signature and sending the updated last known signature to the first client to facilitate marking of the transaction as complete resulting in a definitive state synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Leela Tamma
  • Patent number: 9875597
    Abstract: Techniques for processing user information in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a first wagering game system to assign a first set of access credentials to a user, wherein the first wagering system is connected to a first set of wagering game machines. The system can also include a second wagering game system to assign a second set of access credentials to the user, wherein the second wagering system connected to a second set of wagering game machines. The systems can also include a master identifier controller to receive and store the first and second sets of access credentials, to receive requests to access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials, and to facilitate access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventor: Terry D. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 9799121
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing input by a computing device are presented. One method includes operations for receiving images of a control device that includes an object section, and for determining a location of the control device utilizing image analysis for each captured image. Additionally, the movement of the control device is tracked based on the determined locations, where the tracking of the movement includes receiving inertial sensor information obtained by sensors in the control device, and determining an orientation of the control device based on the sensor information. Additionally, the method includes an operation for translating the movement and orientation of the control device into input for a game executing in the computing device, where the input is translated into a motion and orientation of an object in the game based on the movement of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Marks, Anton Mikhailov, Ennin Huang, Gary M. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 9792776
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert F. Bigelow, Jr., James A. Vasquez, Paulina Rodgers, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 9767638
    Abstract: A slot machine according to the present invention comprises: a symbol display capable of scroll-displaying a symbol array that includes a plurality of symbols; and a controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a normal game in which the symbol array is scroll-displayed in a single direction and then stop-displayed to the symbol display, and in which game media are paid out in an amount corresponding to the stop-displayed symbol or a combination of the stop-displayed symbols; and (B) displaying an extra symbol being added to the symbol array, while scrolling the symbol array in a direction opposite to the single direction, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied in the normal game executed in the processing (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kadode, Masahiro Yoshida, Hiroyuki Kuroyanagi, Satoshi Watanabe, Yuka Hotta, Tsuyoshi Ohira, Hiroki Abe, Takanori Sakata
  • Patent number: 9697673
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing interruption and reconnection of a game session in a computer based gaming system having a computerized gaming machine devised for executing a game and being communicatively connected to a remote data storage, wherein: the execution of a game comprises at least one instance of determining a set of associated game session data; an identity code is reserved for identification of each execution instance of a game; each determined set of associated game session data is associated with said identity code and stored in the remote data storage; and if an interruption occurs in the execution of a game, then the identity code for the current game execution instance is associated with a status indicator indicating that said game execution has been interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Henrik Kniberg, Ulf Abrink, Jens Nilsson, Peter Vincent, Thomas Rizos, Hakan Andersson
  • Patent number: 9697688
    Abstract: A method of processing a jackpot win in a gaming network comprising: providing a jackpot server: receiving jackpot claim data at the jackpot server; locking a jackpot record corresponding to the jackpot claim data; aggregating any outstanding jackpot contributions for the jackpot record from contributing parts of the gaming network to form a prize; and communicating prize data corresponding to the prize to a network destination identified by the jackpot claim data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Ulf Abrink, Sven Hakan Andersson