Patents by Inventor Tomoaki Yoshinobu
Tomoaki Yoshinobu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220355197Abstract: A timer period is set on the basis of a user input, and counting processing of counting a time is executed during the timer period. During the timer period, game processing including control of a virtual object is executed. A count image indicating a state of the counting and a game image by the game processing are outputted to a display unit. Here, during the game processing, the control of the virtual object is switched between manual control based on a user input and automatic control that is not based on the user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Hideaki SHIMIZU, Tomoaki YOSHINOBU
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Patent number: 11458392Abstract: In a game apparatus in which game programs for a plurality of games each including a title scene and a play scene are stored in a storage medium, a game to be executed is switched in a predetermined order by a user operating a first input device. At a time of the switching, in the case where a currently executed game is in the play scene, the game is interrupted and switching is performed to another game, and, when the game is executed again later, the game is restarted from the time of the interruption of the play scene, and a first image showing the game is displayed on a display. Meanwhile, in the case where the currently executed game is in the title scene, switching is performed to another game, and then when the game is executed again, the game is restarted from the title scene without displaying the first image.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Tomohiro Kawase
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Publication number: 20210299559Abstract: In a game apparatus in which game programs for a plurality of games each including a title scene and a play scene are stored in a storage medium, a game to be executed is switched in a predetermined order by a user operating a first input device. At a time of the switching, in the case where a currently executed game is in the play scene, the game is interrupted and switching is performed to another game, and, when the game is executed again later, the game is restarted from the time of the interruption of the play scene, and a first image showing the game is displayed on a display. Meanwhile, in the case where the currently executed game is in the title scene, switching is performed to another game, and then when the game is executed again, the game is restarted from the title scene without displaying the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Tomoaki YOSHINOBU, Tomohiro KAWASE
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Patent number: 9443340Abstract: For each layer, a scaling rate of an object image or a background image belonging to each of the layers is calculated based on a distance from a predetermined reference point in a virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. In addition, for each of the layers, a movement velocity of each of the layers when conducting a parallax scrolling is calculated based on a distance from the predetermined reference point in the virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. Furthermore, an image in each of the layers is scaled up or down based on the calculated scaling rate, and each of the layers are moved in a predetermined direction at the calculated movement velocity.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Miyagi, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Publication number: 20150087425Abstract: A game apparatus 3A includes: a registration information storage section 171 that stores pieces of individual information about game apparatuses 3 registered as communication partners, with which the game apparatus 3A communicates, and pieces of distinguishing information, about the game apparatuses 3, associated with the pieces of individual information; a connection determination section 101 that determines whether a game apparatus 3B, corresponding to one of the stored pieces of individual information, is connected to a server device 8; a first acquisition section 103 that acquires, when the game apparatus 3B is connected to the server device 8, a piece of individual information about a game apparatus 3C communicating with the game apparatus 3B; and a communication state display section 104 that visibly displays, based on the pieces of individual information, communication states of the game apparatus 3B and the game apparatus 3C associated with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Tomoaki YOSHINOBU, Hideki FUJII, Shunsaku KATO
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Patent number: 8949396Abstract: A game apparatus 3A includes: a registration information storage section 171 that stores pieces of individual information about game apparatuses 3 registered as communication partners, with which the game apparatus 3A communicates, and pieces of distinguishing information, about the game apparatuses 3, associated with the pieces of individual information; a connection determination section 101 that determines whether a game apparatus 3B, corresponding to one of the stored pieces of individual information, is connected to a server device 8; a first acquisition section 103 that acquires, when the game apparatus 3B is connected to the server device 8, a piece of individual information about a game apparatus 3C communicating with the game apparatus 3B; and a communication state display section 104 that visibly displays, based on the pieces of individual information, communication states of the game apparatus 3B and the game apparatus 3C associated with each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Hideki Fujii, Shunsaku Kato
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Publication number: 20120127158Abstract: For each layer, a scaling rate of an object image or a background image belonging to each of the layers is calculated based on a distance from a predetermined reference point in a virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. In addition, for each of the layers, a movement velocity of each of the layers when conducting a parallax scrolling is calculated based on a distance from the predetermined reference point in the virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. Furthermore, an image in each of the layers is scaled up or down based on the calculated scaling rate, and each of the layers are moved in a predetermined direction at the calculated movement velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi MIYAGI, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Patent number: 7871322Abstract: A game device provides a question to a plurality of players. The game device counts the number of players each having provided an answer to the question or each having provided a correct answer to the question. When the counted number of players reaches a predetermined number of players, a predetermined time limit is set. The game device measures an elapsed time from when the time limit has been set (i.e., a correct answer elapsed time), and stops accepting an answer to the question when the correct answer elapsed time reaches the time limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Toshikazu Kiuchi
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Patent number: 7744466Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU advances a game according to input data transmitted from a plurality of controllers. A plurality of players share each controller to utilize it in turn. Each player selects in advance a character as his or her own avatar. When a certain player's (Designation: Mr. or Ms. kk) turn has come, a voice message for urging the change like the following is output from the speaker of the controller: “Take places with Mr. or Ms. kk!” Similarly, when the next turn is a relevant player, and the player directly before finishes playing, a voice message for urging a preparation like the following is output: “Mr. or Ms. kk, prepare for your turn.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Hideki Fujii
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Patent number: 7744465Abstract: A game machine is provided with two display units, that is, a first LCD and a second LCD. On the second LCD, feature information unique to each object located in a virtual game space is displayed. When a player selects, based on information displayed on the second LCD, one of the objects provided in the virtual game space, a focus point of a virtual camera provided in the virtual game space is set so that the virtual camera is oriented to a direction of the selected object, and the state of the virtual game space captured by the virtual camera is displayed on the first LCD. With this, the virtual game space can be displayed without impairing its worldview. Also, the player can be allowed to easily specify a desired focus target in the virtual game space.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryunosuke Suzuki, Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Takayuki Shimamura
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Patent number: 7713129Abstract: An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Publication number: 20100093442Abstract: A game apparatus 3A includes: a registration information storage section 171 that stores pieces of individual information about game apparatuses 3 registered as communication partners, with which the game apparatus 3A communicates, and pieces of distinguishing information, about the game apparatuses 3, associated with the pieces of individual information; a connection determination section 101 that determines whether a game apparatus 3B, corresponding to one of the stored pieces of individual information, is connected to a server device 8; a first acquisition section 103 that acquires, when the game apparatus 3B is connected to the server device 8, a piece of individual information about a game apparatus 3C communicating with the game apparatus 3B; and a communication state display section 104 that visibly displays, based on the pieces of individual information, communication states of the game apparatus 3B and the game apparatus 3C associated with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Tomoaki YOSHINOBU, Hideki FUJII, Shunsaku KATO
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Publication number: 20080076498Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU advances a game according to input data transmitted from a plurality of controllers. A plurality of players share each controller to utilize it in turn. Each player selects in advance a character as his or her own avatar. When a certain player's (Designation: Mr. or Ms. kk) turn has come, a voice message for urging the change like the following is output from the speaker of the controller: “Take places with Mr. or Ms. kk!” Similarly, when the next turn is a relevant player, and the player directly before finishes playing, a voice message for urging a preparation like the following is output: “Mr. or Ms. kk, prepare for your turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Hideki Fujii
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Publication number: 20060287029Abstract: A game device provides a question to a plurality of players. The game device counts the number of players each having provided an answer to the question or each having provided a correct answer to the question. When the counted number of players reaches a predetermined number of players, a predetermined time limit is set. The game device measures an elapsed time from when the time limit has been set (i.e., a correct answer elapsed time), and stops accepting an answer to the question when the correct answer elapsed time reaches the time limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Toshikazu Kiuchi
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Patent number: 6970177Abstract: An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Publication number: 20050187015Abstract: A game machine is provided with two display units, that is, a first LCD 11 and a second LCD 12. On the second LCD 12, feature information unique to each object located in a virtual game space is displayed. When a player selects, based on information displayed on the second LCD 12, one of the objects provided in the virtual game space, a focus point of a virtual camera provided in the virtual game space is set so that the virtual camera is oriented to a direction of the selected object, and the state of the virtual game space captured by the virtual camera is displayed on the first LCD 11. With this, the virtual game space can be displayed without impairing its worldview. Also, the player can be allowed to easily specify a desired focus target in the virtual game space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryunosuke Suzuki, Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu, Takayuki Shimamura
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Publication number: 20050007384Abstract: An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Patent number: 6697071Abstract: A method, game machine, computer program and a recording medium include displaying a final motion image sequence of a character in a video game according to motion data defining variations in posture of the character. The method includes responding to an input operation of a game player, performed during display of first motion data defining a first motion image sequence of the character, and determining second motion data defining a second motion image sequence of the character. A transitional motion image sequence is created based on a single posture defined in the first motion data and a group of postures defined in the second motion data. The final motion image sequence is displayed, which includes a portion of the first motion image sequence, the transitional motion image sequence, and a portion of the second motion image sequence, creating a gradual transition of motion image sequences.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square EnixInventors: Kazuhiko Iino, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Publication number: 20030214518Abstract: An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Tomoaki Yoshinobu
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Patent number: 6503144Abstract: A computer readable program product stores 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. An input operation of the user is accepted 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Square Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shiyu Rimoto, Tomoaki Yoshinobu