In A Game Including A Simulated Projectile (e.g., Bullet, Missile, Ball, Puck, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/2)
  • Patent number: 9345963
    Abstract: A setting change image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device while an in-play user is playing a game while viewing a game image displayed on a monitor. A user different from the in-play user can change various settings of the game without hindering the progress of the game performed by the in-play user, by operating the terminal device while viewing the setting change image displayed on the LCD, such as increasing the number of participants in the game, and changing difficulty level of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masataka Takemoto
  • Patent number: 9345957
    Abstract: Technology is described for providing a personalized sport performance experience with three dimensional (3D) virtual data displayed by a near-eye, augmented reality display of a personal audiovisual (A/V) apparatus. A physical movement recommendation is determined for the user performing a sport based on skills data for the user for the sport, physical characteristics of the user, and 3D space positions for at least one or more sport objects. 3D virtual data depicting one or more visual guides for assisting the user in performing the physical movement recommendation may be displayed from a user perspective associated with a display field of view of the near-eye AR display. An avatar may also be displayed by the near-eye AR display performing a sport. The avatar may perform the sport interactively with the user or be displayed performing a prior performance of an individual represented by the avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. Geisner, Kathryn Stone Perez, Stephen G. Latta, Ben J. Sugden, Benjamin I. Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, John Clavin
  • Patent number: 9327191
    Abstract: A pivoting camera viewpoint is provided so that when an animated game character uses a bow and arrow or other weapon, the camera adopts a third person 3D view based on the relative position of the game character and the target that game character is aiming his bow at. The user positions a target cursor on the desired target. This causes an imaginary line segment or plane to be drawn in 3D space between the desired target and the game character (or possibly the game character's bow). The imaginary line segment or plane continues through and past the game character, and the character keeps the weapon, if it is a missile weapon, pointed along this line segment. Additionally, the player can lock onto a target, and freely move a character around. While in lock-on mode, the camera automatically repositions itself to keep both the character and the target visible to a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma
  • Patent number: 9302181
    Abstract: The present application facilitates reconstruction of a party after game over to avoid wastefulness in time required for party construction. Moreover, the present application aims at hastening reconstruction of the party to improve real thrill of the game. A game server executes the game. The game server includes a party storage for storing party information relating to the party. The party includes characters. A reached points storage stores, for each character, at least one point that the character has reached. An interface transmits, for a first character, display information that is operative to display to the first character the at least one point that the first character has reached. The display information is also operative to display to the first character the at least one point that each other character has reached and that the first character has also reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Jin Fujisawa, Takashi Anzai, Kyoko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9274699
    Abstract: A large scale multi-user, multi-touch system with a specialized zone-based user interface including methods for space management and spatial apportioning of audio cues. The system comprises a multi-touch display component fabricated in dimensions sufficient for at least a plurality of users and for displaying projected images and for receiving multi-touch input. The apparatus includes a plurality of image projectors, a plurality of cameras for sensing multi-touch input and the apparatus includes interface software for managing user space. The interface software implements techniques for managing multiple users using the same user interface component by allocating physical spaces within the multi-touch display component and coordinating movement of displayed objects between the physical spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Obscura Digital
    Inventors: Steve Mason, Ammon Haggerty, Michael Harville, Niklas Lundback, Nikolai Cornell
  • Patent number: 9242172
    Abstract: A game device includes: an image processing unit operative to display a screen image of a game field including vertical land features; a passage forming unit operative to form a passage in the game field through which fluid can move, in accordance with an instruction by a user; fluid control unit operative to control fluid supplied to the passage; and a terrestrial character control unit and an aquatic character control unit operative to control an action of a character disposed in the game field. The aquatic character control unit moves the character, which exists in the passage in which the fluid exists, together with the fluid when the fluid is moved along the passage to a lower position by the fluid control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Masami Yamamoto, Haruyuki Ohashi, Satoru Koyama
  • Patent number: 9155967
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed that makes it possible to prevent or suppress various problems that may occur due to character placement control when implementing a multi-player game that utilizes an augmented reality space. A basic area is set based on the relative position of each game device with respect to an AR marker, and an element area is set so that the AR marker does not lie outside the imaging range of a CCD camera module of each game device. An overlapping area of the basic area and the element area is calculated to be a placement area. The motion of an attention object is controlled so that the attention object remains within the placement area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO GAMES INC.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Koganezawa, Shinichiro Umetani
  • Patent number: 9149720
    Abstract: In order to attain the object described above, a game apparatus is able to use display means and coordinate input means such as a touch panel, and positions a virtual camera Ca in a virtual space. Whether the coordinate input means is in an inputted state in which a player is performing a coordinate input (touch operation) on the coordinate input means, or in a non-inputted state in which a player is not performing coordinate input on the coordinate input means, is determined. When it is determined that the coordinate input means is in the non-inputted state, the game apparatus changes the imaging direction of the virtual camera Ca, based on change of an input coordinate position that is designated on the coordinate input means immediately before the coordinate input means enters the non-inputted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakurai, Shinya Abe, Teppei Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9061206
    Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received. For instance, the request may initiate a video game. A motion search between an object in a subsequent frame of video and the object in a current frame of video is performed. A pre-determined motion vector for the object is selected. The object in the subsequent frame of video may correspond to a set of pre-encoded macro-blocks and the performing the motion search may include searching a corresponding set of macro-blocks associated with the current frame of video. The pre-encoded macro-blocks may be pre-encoded prior to the request. The motion vector may be pre-determined prior to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ActiveVideo Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Craig, Clifford Wayne Mercer, Ulrich Sigmund
  • Publication number: 20150141100
    Abstract: An error correction system for a shooting simulation system. The error correction system includes a mechanism for gathering and storing historical data of a communication device utilized in a shooting simulation system. The historical data includes hit and miss results of the communication device in a targeting of a target over a predetermined period of time. The system also includes a processor for analyzing the historical data of the communication device to determine errors caused by the communication device. The processor determines an error correction to correct the errors caused by the communication device. The processor then implements the error correction to determine a hit or miss of a targeting of a target. The error correction system may also utilize historical data from shots taken by a shooter and motion of the communication device being aimed immediately prior to targeting a target to determine an appropriate error correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: George Carter
  • Patent number: 9028312
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus may be provided capable of detecting a hit by a projectile, such as a BB pellet. The sensing apparatus may include a surface and accelerometer to detect the acceleration of the surface. A processor may determine whether a projectile hit has occurred. The sensing apparatus may be mounted onto a vehicle. The vehicle may be a robot capable of participating in a game. The robot game may occur within a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ji Dong Wei, Sheng Yang Chen, Tao Wang, Ji Yuan Ao, Yi Jun Guan
  • Patent number: 9028311
    Abstract: A video game combines finger swiping to hurl a projectile at a target, with strategic elements arising from various combinations of player and target characteristics. User actions such as a direction of finger swipe against a touchscreen, a speed of finger swipe against the touchscreen, and/or a length of finger swipe against the touchscreen, may determine the trajectory and/or force of the projectile. The player may dynamically select specific roles from a plurality of cards available in a deck, with the particular role determining game parameters such as offensive effectiveness and defensive strength. The game may incorporate one or more strategic concepts such as the ability to combine roles, the evolution of roles over time, and the selective enlistment of allies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Otsuka, Hidde Tonegawa, James Marr, Simon Paredes
  • Publication number: 20150119121
    Abstract: The game system provides a game in which, by a player operating a touch panel when an object reaches a first determination line, the object can be hit back to a second determination line. The game machine includes a detection unit that detects tilting of the game machine. In a case that the detection unit detects tilting of the game machine when the player operates the touch panel, in a partial section of a moving path, the object moves at a moving speed that is set according to the tilting, and, in a remaining section, the object moves at a moving speed that is set so that the object moves from the first determination line to the second determination line in a setting time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Takao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9011250
    Abstract: A gaming system for enabling three-dimensional game play of remote-control craft controlled by a controller, each craft including a communication system with both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) capabilities. The system can include a plurality of hovering remote-control flying craft each controlled by a handheld controller, and further may include at least one additional game accessory elements, such as a puck, a ground station or a gun. Each pairing of craft and controllers communicate via an RF protocol that transmits at least control communications between the controller and the craft based on pair identification information in an RF communication protocol. The craft and game-accessory elements also communicate via at least an IR protocol that communicates game-play information. Selectable pairs of craft and controllers may be assigned to different teams for playing multiplayer team games based on team identification information in the RF communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: QFO Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Condon, James Edward Fairman, Bradley Dean Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9004997
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for dynamically locking a camera-linked reticle onto a target vehicle are presented. In one or more embodiments, a computing device may provide a user interface that includes a controlled vehicle and a target vehicle. Subsequently, the computing device may receive user input moving a camera-linked reticle within a predetermined distance of the target vehicle. In response to receiving the user input moving the camera-linked reticle within the predetermined distance of the target vehicle, the computing device may lock the camera-linked reticle onto the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the camera-linked reticle may include a reticle portion of the user interface that is configured to indicate an aim of at least one gun associated with the controlled vehicle, and may be further configured to maintain a substantially constant directional relationship with a viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wargaming.net LLP
    Inventors: Alexey Prosin, Stepan Drozd
  • Publication number: 20150094127
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for handling a touch input to a game executed on a device. The method includes the operation of rendering the game on the device. The device includes a touch screen for receiving touch input from a user. The game renders a game object that is moveable in one or more directions within a scene of the game. A touch input is detected from the touch screen when the game object is selected for movement. The touch input is analyzed to determine if the touch input is a movement gesture with a swipe profile and a direction. When the touch input is a movement gesture, the game object is caused to move along the direction defined by the touch input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Canose, Priamos Georgiades
  • Patent number: 8992320
    Abstract: Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William R. Brosnan, Nicole M. Beaulieu, Jamal Benbrahim, Anthony R. Escalera, Alexey Kryuchkov, Steven G. LeMay, Jeff Mincey, Dwayne R. Nelson, Andy Rodgers, Greg A. Schlottmann
  • Patent number: 8986089
    Abstract: Sports based computer game, e.g., football game, is played using data from actual games. Updates are received about new information from more recent games. Each game is divided into plays, and each play is characterized so that the play can be replayed on the game. Characteristics of the plays can be changed to simulate what is scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Harris
  • Publication number: 20150080071
    Abstract: A software application for portable computing devices adapted to simulate weapon combat. A camera is used to display images onto a display screen of the computing device. The image may be modified based on a set of predefined criteria. The predefined criteria may vary based on a virtual weapon being used, environmental conditions, and other factors. Responsive to user input, the current image is captured. The time of the image capture, the geographic location of the user, and identification of the enemy depicted in the image are transmitted along with the image to a centralized server. The time stamp of each transmitted image is analyzed to confirm that the user had not been eliminated prior to capturing the image. Explosives are simulated by using the GPS to determine the location of the explosion and the damage radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Nathan Eyal
  • Publication number: 20150057056
    Abstract: An obtaining unit of a moving control device obtains a first contact position and a second contact position on a touch panel. A determination unit determines information about a trajectory of a moving object in a virtual space based on the first contact position and second contact position. A moving control unit moves the moving object in the virtual space based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kuka LEE, Kenta TAKAHASHI, Kentaro NAGAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8948457
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a trajectory of a axisymmetric object in 3-D physical space using a digital camera which records 2-D image data are described. In particular, based upon i) a characteristic length of the axisymmetric object, ii) a physical position of the camera determined from sensors associated with the camera (e.g., accelerometers) and iii) captured 2-D digital images from the camera including a time at which each image is generated relative to one another, a position, a velocity vector and an acceleration vector can be determined in three dimensional physical space for axisymmetric object objects as a function of time. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus can be applied to determine the trajectories of objects in games which utilize axisymmetric object objects, such as basketball, baseball, bowling, golf, soccer, rugby or football.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pillar Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Marty, John Carter
  • Publication number: 20150031421
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing an online shooting game by a game server communicatively connected to a player terminal. The player terminal may display a virtual online shooting game environment based on information received from the game server. Providing an online shooting game may include: selecting a basic identification range within a virtual online shooting game environment displayed on the player terminal; detecting one or more enemy characters that are within the basic identification range; determining one of the detected one or more enemy characters as an automatic tracking object; and allowing an aiming point to automatically track movement of the automatic tracking object within the basic identification range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: GREE, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Hyun Jo, Ki Hoon Lee, Jung Ho Lee, Sae Rom Kim
  • Patent number: 8941768
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an electronic device includes an image display unit, an image taking unit, and a control unit. The image display unit displays a first image. The image taking unit takes a second image of a target object. The control unit detects a motion of the target object in the second image taken by the image taking unit, and changes the first image displayed by the image display unit in accordance with the detected motion of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Shimada
  • Patent number: 8936512
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. Game image information containing positional information of the target object in a game image used in the video game is stored in a game image information memory. A position of a viewpoint against the game image is specified on the basis of progress of the video game. A game image is displayed on the display screen on the basis of the specified position of the viewpoint and the game image information stored in the game image information memory. It is determined whether the target object becomes a non-display state or not in response to a movement request of the viewpoint received from a player. Selection of the target object by the player is received in a case where it is determined that the target object does not become the non-display state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Itahana, Motomu Toriyama
  • Publication number: 20150018057
    Abstract: A shooting simulation system. The system includes a plurality of communication devices with each communication device associated with a separate player. In addition, each mobile phone includes an A-GPS device for determining a location indicia of the communication device and a mechanism for communicating the location indicia to a network. A game server communicates with the network for relaying the location indicia of each communication device to all of the communication devices. Each communication device includes a mechanism for determining a directional orientation of the communication device when aimed and a processor for determining if a simulated targeting of another player is a hit or miss based on the location indicia of a shooting communication device, the location indicia of a communication device of a targeted player, and the directional orientation of the shooting communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: George Carter
  • Publication number: 20150011278
    Abstract: A method for providing an online sports game is implemented in an online sports game providing system that provides an online sports game to users through a plurality of game clients. The method includes (a) checking whether the plurality of users of each participating team of a pair of teams participating in a match have relationships of friendship, (b) strengthening and compensating for the ability of player characters belonging to a sports team of first users at the lowest level, and (c) providing a match for an online sports game. By compensating for and increasing the ability of player characters belonging to a beginner user sports team, a beginner user may enjoy the game on equal terms with an existing user, and the rate of new user dropout may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8926416
    Abstract: A sports simulator calculates spin of a sports object using image analysis. A velocity vector is also calculated. These are combined to produce a predicted future trajectory of the sports object. In one embodiment, the sports object is a golf ball and the sports simulator simulates golf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Full Swing Golf
    Inventor: Daniel Nicora
  • Publication number: 20140370948
    Abstract: The present invention includes a game contents server that provides a plurality of users connected through an Internet network with the contents of an online first personal shooter game, in which the game contents server includes a dual processing module that provides the uses two or more weapons of a plurality of weapons in the process of a mission of the game, holds two weapons selected by the users to the left side and the right side, respectively, determines new one characteristic parameter by combining a characteristic parameter of the weapon at the left side and a characteristic parameter of the weapon at the right side, and applies the determined new one characteristic parameter to setting a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: REDDUCK INC.
    Inventors: Seung Han Noh, Nak Ho Sung, Dong Soo Oh
  • Patent number: 8911235
    Abstract: The invention is a trigger pull training device for improving trigger pull technique. The device has a frame with a trigger track opening and a trigger which goes through that opening. A proximity sensor or a plurality of proximity sensors are placed proximate the trigger track opening. The sensors are connected to an indicator whereby pulling the trigger such that the trigger is within the sensing zone causes the proximity sensor to emit a signal. A plurality of sensors can be lined along the trigger track opening to indicate the accuracy of any pull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: TriggerMaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcom Baxter
  • Publication number: 20140364180
    Abstract: A video game control device is designed as a toy gun which may be compatible with a plurality of video game consoles having combat-style video games for providing video game enthusiasts with a control stick in the form of a semi-automatic rifle which compliments the game itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Edward Olivar
  • Patent number: 8908922
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a trajectory of a axisymmetric object in 3-D physical space using a digital camera which records 2-D image data are described. In particular, based upon i) a characteristic length of the axisymmetric object, ii) a physical position of the camera determined from sensors associated with the camera (e.g., accelerometers) and iii) captured 2-D digital images from the camera including a time at which each image is generated relative to one another, a position, a velocity vector and an acceleration vector can be determined in three dimensional physical space for axisymmetric object objects as a function of time. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus can be applied to determine the trajectories of objects in games which utilize axisymmetric object objects, such as basketball, baseball, bowling, golf, soccer, rugby or football.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Pillar Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Marty, John Carter
  • Publication number: 20140349722
    Abstract: A system according to an embodiment allows a player to easily enjoy a competition game using a plurality of game contents while feeling the playability. The system includes: a game progress control unit; an information storage unit; a first formation setting unit for setting formations used by the player and an opponent and arrangement of athlete cards to a plurality of positions constituting the formations; a first competition processing unit for performing a competition process in a first half based on the formations and information on the arranged athlete cards; a second formation setting unit for setting, after the competition process in the first half, formations to be used by the player and the opponent and the arrangement of the athlete cards; and a second competition processing unit for performing a competition process in a second half based on the set formations and the information on the arranged athlete cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken NAKATANI, Yuichiro MORI
  • Publication number: 20140342788
    Abstract: Provided is a method of applying multiple crosshairs, and more particularly, a method of applying multiple crosshairs in a shooting game, in which a background and a target are displayed on a screen by a user's operation and crosshairs are displayed on the screen. The method comprises displaying multiple crosshairs on the screen, and upon receiving a shooting instruction, shooting a projectile toward the crosshairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Sin Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20140323187
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention concern a virtual hunting apparatus that employs an imaging device mounted on top of the barrel of a simulated firearm such as a rifle or other toy. A cable can be used to connect the imaging device to the trigger of the simulated firearm. An imaging device can run a variety of applications and play videos. Pulling the trigger of the simulated firearm takes a picture of a target animal, records a video or plays a video of interest within the imaging device, without displacing a bullet or pellet to injure or kill the target animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Ronnie VALDEZ
  • Patent number: 8862431
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include pulse detection elements or current sensing circuits. The plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements may include conductive and non-conductive threads, and the conductive threads may include piezoelectric crystals embedded within conductive plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce Hodge
  • Publication number: 20140302898
    Abstract: A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager input indicative of a wager to play a wagering game including a skill-based game. A skill-based input indicative of play of the skill-based game is received receive via at least one of the one or more input devices. A skill-level adjustment is applied to the skill-based game to decrease the skill-level needed to achieve an award outcome in the skill-based game. The skill-level adjustment includes compensating for the received skill-based input. An outcome of the skill-based game is determined. The outcome is based at least in part on the compensating for the received second input. In response to the outcome being an award outcome, an award is provided for the skill-based game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20140274239
    Abstract: Provided herein is a computer readable medium recording a shooting game. The shooting game includes a character moving module, a screen moving module, a focusing module, and an attack module. The character moving module moves the location of a character. The screen moving module senses the movement of a terminal using a gyrosensor and then moves the game screen depending on the variation in the angle of the terminal. The focusing module senses dragging when a drag icon is dragged. The attack module generates an attack signal to the center of the game screen at the time at which the dragging is terminated. The attack module generates a hitting signal for the character when the character is located at the center of the game screen at the time at which the dragging is terminated, or a preset time after the time at which the dragging is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FOURTHIRTYTHREE INC.
    Inventor: Gwi Seong HAN
  • Patent number: 8834245
    Abstract: An example video game includes a virtual game world including a video game character movable within the virtual game world and one or more targets. A first target in the virtual game world can be locked onto so that the first target remains substantially at the center of a field of view of the game character within the virtual game world. A reticle may be moved to target one or more second targets in the virtual game world while the first target remains locked onto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Melanie Haigh-Hutchinson
  • Publication number: 20140256389
    Abstract: A game application for use on a portable electronic device comprises an asset creation interface and a projectile launching game screen. The asset creation interface includes an image source selection interface, an asset bank, an image editor, an object editor, and a scene editor. A user may import an image or take a picture with the camera of the mobile device, edit the image in the image editor, create projectiles, targets, launchers, and backgrounds in the object editor, and create scenes including various projectiles, targets, launchers, and backgrounds in the scene editor. The user may select the assets (projectiles, targets, launchers, backgrounds, and scenes) to be used in a projectile launching game and share assets with other users via social media outlets over a wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ian Wentling, Connie Jo Dutton
  • Patent number: 8827804
    Abstract: A system for targeting and attack of one or more enemies in a game environment is provided. A player may designate an enemy or enemies on a display screen as a target and subsequently initiate an attack of the targeted enemy or enemies. The display allows for flexibility in choosing which enemies to attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Woodard, Dylan Jobe
  • Patent number: 8827785
    Abstract: To provide a game device capable of preferably producing an image of a picture in which a first game character loses sight of a second game character having moved so as to disappear from view of the first game character, and thus delays in responding to the second game character. An operation target selection unit (72) selects an operation target character from among the plurality of first game characters. An operation target control unit (74a) changes a state of the first game character selected by the operation target selection unit (72), in the game space, based on a signal input from an operation unit. A selection restriction unit (72b) restricts, in the case where it is determined by the determination unit (72a) that the position of the second game character is included in a determination target area determined based on the position and orientation of the first game character, selection of that first game character by the operation target selection unit (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Suzuki, Hajime Matsumaru
  • Patent number: 8821231
    Abstract: Methods and system include obtaining attributes of athletic players from one or more sources. The attributes define statistics of the athletic players. Minimum requirements are determined for teams organized in a group. A listing is generated for each team in the group. The listing includes a plurality of entries wherein each entry is configured to present attributes of an athletic player or a team that is part of the group. Select ones of the plurality of entries in the listing are static and select ones of the entries are dynamic. The entries that are static are used to provide minimum requirements defined for each team in the group and the entries that are dynamic are used to provide attributes of the teams or the athletic players. The dynamic entries are adjusted during a drafting process to provide current status of the teams and the athletic players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Belmarch, Ed Lu, Joseph Trdinich, Edwin Pankau, David Geller, Dave Pawson, Paul Cameron, Shaelyn Clements
  • Publication number: 20140243058
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a shooting game control method, which is executed by a computer incorporated in a device including a display and a touch panel, includes accepting a touch operation on the touch panel; displaying a first frame indicative of a shooting effective range on the display in accordance with a position of the touch operation; accepting an instruction for an attack on an attack target in a state in which the first frame is displayed; determining whether the attack target in a game image displayed on the display is within the first frame or not, at a time point when the instruction for the attack has been accepted; and controlling the attack on the attack target in the game image in accordance with a result of the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GREE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi TSUCHIYA, Norihiro SAWADA, Tadashi NAGANO, Takeshi ARAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140243057
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having a processor that performs operations including receiving from a computer accessory a control signal for controlling a software application, determining a result that would arise if the control signal is supplied to the software application, and generating an updated control signal to produce a desired result responsive to detecting that the result is undesirable. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Kim Rom, Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Jacob Wolff-Petersen, Bruce Hawver, Francis Arnold Grever, Tino Soelberg, Christopher John Nicolella
  • Publication number: 20140243059
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced head-to-head hybrid gaming are provided. An enhanced head-to-head hybrid game has a gambling game with a real world engine that provides a randomly generated payout for the gambling game, an entertainment software engine that executes an entertainment game providing outcomes upon a player's execution of the entertainment game, and a game world engine that manages the entertainment software engine and communicates gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's execution of the entertainment game that trigger the gambling game. A global betting manager receives player performance measurements from the game world engine, determines tournament eligibility, assigns a tournament handicap based at least in part upon the performance measurements from the game world engine and sends information concerning these parameters to the game world engine which is configured to implement each assigned handicap and tournament eligibility within the enhanced head-to-head hybrid game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 8814642
    Abstract: Ball games apparatus for use by two or more players, comprises a playing wall with a plurality of targets arranged across at least one face of said playing wall, each target having a particular value associated therewith. In use, a player aims by kicking or throwing a ball or the like at the playing wall and scores points to the value of the target that is struck. The targets may correspond to balls of a conventional pool or snooker game, providing a similar scoring system to the table-based game but at the same time encouraging participation in physical activity. Added complexity is provided by means of ground markers randomly selected to denote which of a series of positions relative to the playing wall from which a player takes aim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Playinnovation Limited
    Inventor: Marco Boi
  • Patent number: 8814647
    Abstract: A gaming machine, system, and method including a game event in which a player aims at a target. In one embodiment, the game event includes a plurality of targets. The gaming device displays the plurality of targets to the player and enables the player to select one of the targets. The gaming device designates the player-selected target as the primary target for the game event. Based on the designated primary target, the gaming device identifies one or more of the other targets as secondary targets for the game event. The gaming device determines for each of the primary and secondary targets a probability that that target will be hit in the game event. The gaming device determines which of the targets is actually hit in the game event based on the probabilities associated with the targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: David M. Palmer, Michael N. Low
  • Patent number: 8814641
    Abstract: An example system and method is provided for detecting a moment of impact and/or strength of a swing based on moving a hand-held device including an accelerometer arrangement. A moment and a magnitude of simulated striking of the object are determined based on one or more accelerometer arrangement outputs resulting from the moving of the hand-held device. Using one or more of aural, visual and tactile outputs, the striking of the object is simulated in accordance with the determined moment of simulated striking and the determined magnitude of the simulated striking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Rabin
  • Publication number: 20140221061
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within graphically simulated environments are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. In a destination based control mode, users may partially control vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new destination for the vehicle to go to, and the game's control logic may then automatically calculate how to control the vehicle toward the new heading. Fight and assault (bombing) control sub-modes may be provided. In addition, in an immediate control mode, a user may provide input that indicates a direction and speed of rotation, to provide more direct control of a vehicles control systems and/or control surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: WARGAMING.NET LLP
    Inventor: Anton Sitnikau
  • Publication number: 20140213332
    Abstract: A video game combines finger swiping to hurl a projectile at a target, with strategic elements arising from various combinations of player and target characteristics. User actions such as a direction of finger swipe against a touchscreen, a speed of finger swipe against the touchscreen, and/or a length of finger swipe against the touchscreen, may determine the trajectory and/or force of the projectile. The player may dynamically select specific roles from a plurality of cards available in a deck, with the particular role determining game parameters such as offensive effectiveness and defensive strength. The game may incorporate one or more strategic concepts such as the ability to combine roles, the evolution of roles over time, and the selective enlistment of allies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi OTSUKA, Hidde Tonegawa, James Marr, Simon Paredes