With Communication Link (e.g., Television Broadcast, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/40)
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Patent number: 9717990Abstract: A network game system includes a server apparatus and a plurality of video game apparatuses connected to the server apparatus. A party includes player characters of a plurality of players. When the party battles with an opponent character, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits movie playback information to each video game apparatus for starting playback of a movie. Each of the players can skip the movie at a desired timing. A screen is displayed on each video game apparatus that has skipped the movie until the battle starts. When information is received from each video game apparatus that indicates playback of the movie has ended, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits battle start information to each video game apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIXInventors: Yoichi Kuroda, Ryoko Kato
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Patent number: 9713765Abstract: Technologies and implementations for providing an online game experience using multiple devices are generally disclosed including methods and devices for, in some examples, receiving first data from a first device, the received first data being associated with a first interaction with the online game, receiving a request to utilize a second device and responsive to the received request, transmitting second data to the second device, the second data being associated with a second interaction with the online game, the second interaction related to the first interaction but being different from the first interaction.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLCInventor: Yang-Won Jung
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Patent number: 9704350Abstract: A computerized technique for use with a game console, the technique including providing, using the game console, a combat video game that includes a weapon, providing, using the game console and an audiovisual system, music as a player plays the video game, analyzing, using the game console, at least one of i) the music, and ii) metadata relating to the music, to determine a property, and controlling the operation of the weapon, using the game console, as a function of the property.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alexander Rigopulos, Kasson D. Crooker, Matthew C. Boch, Matthew Perlot
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Patent number: 9700803Abstract: Techniques for recommending and establishing connections between users within a gaming social network, designed for connecting users having common gaming interests or characteristics. Embodiments include methods for recommending connections from members of an out-of-game social network, the gaming social network, and gaming activity participants; evaluating user profile information and user characteristics in a gaming social network and gaming activity in a game networking system to determine an appropriate set of connections for a selected user; and presenting graphical user interface content and configurations to enable the suggestion, review, and accepting of recommended connections in the gaming social network.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Shane Hall, Daniel McCaffrey, Dylan Sproule, Ben Hall, Timothy J. O. Catlin, Jason Paul Allen, Clayton Rhodes Stark
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Patent number: 9687743Abstract: A first information processing apparatus executes an application, and generates control data in accordance with a state of an execution of the application. The control data is transmitted to a second information processing apparatus. Video data is stored in advance in the second information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus receives the control data transmitted from the first information processing apparatus, determines a video to be reproduced based on the control data, and reproduces the video based on the video data.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Osawa, Satoshi Kira, Shinya Saito, Kenta Tanaka, Jumpei Horita, Kozo Makino, Yoshiteru Fukuda, Masayuki Kuwajima, Takashi Yoshimi
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Patent number: 9685042Abstract: A plurality of games are implemented at a plurality of gaming machines. At least one server (30, 36, 38) serves game play and non-game play related data to at least one gaming machine (12, 12?), and a resource control unit (50, 202) obtains information indicative of bandwidth usage of a plurality of gaming machines (12, 12?), and controls the level of non-game play related data served to at least one gaming machine based on the information.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: VIDEO B HOLDINGS LIMITEDInventors: Tobias Svennerbring, Christer Hutchinson-Kay
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Patent number: 9669296Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Chris Hibbert, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Lior Stern, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, William J. Kilday, Yennie Solheim, Keith P. Golden, Charles Spirakis
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Patent number: 9662579Abstract: A social network game and a server device are provided. It is so configured that registered users have different items depending on their registered groups; connections with other users which are the characteristics of the social network game are achieved in a fighting game; and the timings of communication between the server and a portable terminal are reduced as much as possible during the game, whereby communication errors and interruption of the game are avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CRAFTS & MEISTER CO., LTDInventors: Takashi Shono, Noritaka Funamizu
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Patent number: 9667636Abstract: Network traffic logs of network traffic to and from host devices connected to a network that were collected over time are accessed. For each host device identified in the logs, a set of network traffic features indicative of whether the host device behaves like a Network Address Translation (NAT) device or an end host device is extracted from the logs for the host device. Each feature has values that vary over time based on the logs. A trained host device behavior classifier classifies the host device as either a NAT device or an end host device based on one or more of the feature values.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tomá{hacek over (s)} Komárek, Martin Grill, Tomá{hacek over (s)} Pevný
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Patent number: 9662574Abstract: A non-limiting example network game system includes a server, and the server is connected with a plurality of game apparatuses in a communication-capable manner via a network. If a player object receives damage or is hindered from advancing during play of a local game by a hindrance object such as an enemy object, each game apparatus notify information about the hindrance object to the server. The server totals the number of times of giving damage, etc. to the player object for each hindrance object based on notice from each game apparatus. At a time of starting the local game, the game apparatus acquires a total result from the server, and changes an image of the hindrance object based on the total result.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keizo Ohta
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Patent number: 9652992Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate providing guidance to a user during performance of a program or routine using a personalized avatar. In an aspect, a system includes a reception component configured to receive biochemical information about a physiological state or condition of a user, including information identifying a presence or a status of one or more biomarkers. The system further includes an analysis component configured to determine or infer one or more characteristics of the physiological state or condition of the user based on the information identifying the presence or the status of the one or more biomarkers, and a visualization component configured to adapt an appearance of an avatar presented to the user based on the one or more characteristics to reflect the one or more characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: KC HOLDINGS IInventor: Robert Louis Kaleal, III
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Patent number: 9643089Abstract: The advancing of a game is made possible using the travel in the real world of a vehicle such as an automobile, as well as advancement of the game without entirely wasting travel of the vehicle. A game system (50) includes a probe device (21) that collects and transmits travel data of a vehicle and a game device (1), in which the game device (1) is provided with an travel data acquisition unit (31) that acquires travel data from the prove device (21), a distance calculation unit (33) that calculates a travel distance in virtual space based on the travel data thus acquired, and a display control unit (34) that displays a sight-seeing area unique image to a user when travelling on a route in virtual space according to the travel distance thus calculated, and as a results of this travel, reaching a set sight-seeing area.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ikki Ishikawa, Yuichiro Ishido
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Patent number: 9640038Abstract: In various embodiments, a first player may follow the same pattern of betting used by a second player.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: CFPH, LLCInventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Kevin Burman
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Patent number: 9635195Abstract: Customizable graphical elements for use in association with a user interface are described. An example apparatus for use in a broadcast media presentation system includes a user interface to enable a user interaction with the broadcast media presentation system, and a controller to implement one or more customizable graphical elements to be displayed in association with the user interface, wherein the one or more customizable graphical elements are to be animated to interact with the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: David P. Green, Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh
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Patent number: 9630096Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for controlling mobile gaming on a vessel may have a plurality of mobile gaming devices, a location server operable to track a device position of each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices and track a vessel position of the vessel, and a mobile gaming management server configured to communicate with the location server and a gaming server, the mobile gaming management server operable to individually control whether each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices is permitted to play a game of chance based on the device position and the vessel position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Nguyen Gaming LLCInventor: Binh T. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9635426Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for allocating and committing votes in a variety of voting paradigms is described. In one embodiment, the method describes a system applicable in a plurality of time zones and comprises determining if an allocation of at least a portion of N1 votes among one or more candidates is received from a first user via a first device during a first period, accepting and storing the allocation of votes, only if the allocation is received during the first period, receiving a user command committing the stored allocation of the N1 votes among the plurality of candidates, determining if the command is received during a second period, and committing the stored first user allocation of N1 votes among the one or more candidates only if the command is received during the second period.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Fox Broadcasting CompanyInventors: Joseph B. Earley, David B. Wertheimer, Edward A. Skolarus, William Bradford, Matthew Moroz, Nicole H. Ruby, Ori Nakar, Bryan J. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 9610505Abstract: Provided is a game device for executing a game in which a user participates and another user is allowed to join the game in mid-game. The game device obtains stored data from a unit for storing data that indicates a situation of the game being executed and that is updated with progress of the game. A situation determining unit determines whether or not the situation of the game being executed satisfies a given condition. A mid-game joining restricting unit keeps a user who has not joined the game being executed from joining the game in mid-game, based on a result of the determination of the situation determining unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Kosuke Fujimoto
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Patent number: 9613344Abstract: The present invention relates to a game supply system and method using a personal area network, a service server, a game relay method, a mobile communication terminal, and a storage medium. The game supply system includes a first end terminal (170) connected to a first mobile communication terminal (150) through a first personal area network (160) and configured to execute game data received from a game server (120). The first mobile communication terminal (150) is connected to a service server (110) through a mobile communication network (140) and configured to relay data between the first end terminal and the service server. The service server is connected to the game server through the mobile communication network, and is configured to authenticate the first end terminal and the first mobile communication terminal and request the service server to provide requested game data. The game server provides requested game data to the service server.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeong Hoon Lee, Jeong Min You, In Hwan Kim, Sung Mu Son
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Patent number: 9604146Abstract: A method is disclosed to play a multiplayer online game. The method provides a handset and a multiplayer game stored on a server, where that server comprises (N) user profiles including the (i)th user profile comprising the (i)th game status and the (i)th digital signature assigned to the (i)th user, wherein the (i)th user is one of the (N) users. The method establishes a communication link between the handset and the server, such that the (i)th user can play the multiplayer game, using the handset and the (i)th game status, with one or more other users in communication with the server. The method downloads to the handset the game software and the (i)th user profile comprising the (i)th game status and the (i)th digital signature, before discontinuing the communication link between the handset and the server.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lei Liu, Gregory L. Sylvester, II
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Patent number: 9600823Abstract: A data mining system and method retrieve data related to an item from a database. A survey is generated for presentation in a game. The survey includes the retrieved item data and solicits from a user input data pertaining to the retrieved item data. The input data is received from the survey and stored in a database with the item data. The input data is transmitted to the game and incorporated into the game such that the user interacts with the input data as part of playing the game.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: eBay Inc.Inventors: Kirk Lanciani, Nicole Stewart, Steve Washington, Neelakantan Sundaresan
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Patent number: 9600574Abstract: An IPTV terminal is provided. It is possible to provide an additional service allowing a user to watch video content, in addition to a service for reproducing an audio file, by extracting metadata on the audio file if a reproduction command of the audio file is input, searching for the video content related to the audio file based on the extracted metadata, and receiving and reproducing the video content.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Hyung-tak Choi
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Patent number: 9602878Abstract: A method of providing an e-commerce business over a computer network to a brick-and-mortar entity that teaches a physical skill is disclosed. The method includes providing a virtual competition website over a computer network to facilitate a virtual competition of a sport of physical skill. A request is received from a brick-and-mortar entity to participate in an e-commerce business by allowing skill entrants associated with the brick-and-mortar entity to enter the virtual competition and video competition entries are received from the skill entrants associated with the brick-and-mortar entity, each of the video competition entries including video demonstrating a skill entrant's physical skill in the sport. Instructions can be provided at the website for the skill entrants to provide an entry fee for the virtual competition to the brick-and-mortar entity. Winning video competition entries are determined by accumulating views and votes, where only registered users can vote.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Inventor: Ron Joseph Tramontano
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Patent number: 9592440Abstract: An approach to facilitating battle-attribute-based arrangement of map areas is provided. Battle-related records that indicate battle attribute values associated with users of a game space may be maintained. Responsive to the battle attribute values associated with individual ones of the users corresponding to the battle attribute values associated with other ones of the users, generation of one or more secondary maps having secondary areas associated with the individual users that are arranged together with secondary areas associated with the other users may be initiated. For example, the secondary area associated with a first user and the secondary area associated with a second user may be arranged together in one of the secondary maps responsive to a first battle attribute value associated with the first user corresponding to a second battle attribute value associated with the second user.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Kabam, Inc.Inventor: Michael Sellers
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Patent number: 9586139Abstract: A short-range wireless communication network may be established by direct communication between two or more wireless communication devices and/or communication via an access point to permit game play between a plurality of devices. A conventional cellular telephone includes an integrated short-range transceiver. The short-range transceivers of multiple wireless communication devices can be coupled together to form a short-range communication network without utilizing any wireless communication network supported by A Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Data is disseminated between the wireless communication devices using a data message synchronization process. Messages may also be carried from one wireless network to another as the communication devices are carried by individuals.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Mobilitie, LLCInventors: Gary B. Jabara, Christos Karmis, David Brett Simon, Lloyd Frederick Linder
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Patent number: 9579575Abstract: A game engine is configured to accept human intelligence tasks as in-game content and present the in-game content to the game player. Human intelligence tasks, such as visual discrimination, are thus enabled in a video game context. The game engine may receive a definition of human intelligence tasks from one or more remote sources present the human intelligence tasks to multiple video game participants as in-game content. The game engine defines and enables game play rules for the in-game content. The game play rules set parameters for the multiple video game participants to perform the human intelligence tasks to achieve desired results. The game engine may award each of the multiple video game participants an improved game score upon successful performance of the human intelligence tasks in accordance with the game play rules. The game engine may measure success by consistency in responses between different participants or trials.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventor: Gary Stephen Shuster
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Patent number: 9579576Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for managing the response of a digital entity in a simulation to reflect its interaction with one or more players over time, such as managing a non-player character's responses to player characters in an online computer game. In the system, a computer system tracks the interaction of the digital entity with other entities and the occurrence or status of internal and external events to control how the digital entity reacts to current events and interactions.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Daybreak Game Company LLCInventor: Christopher Udo Cao
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Patent number: 9578094Abstract: Social graphs may be determined for individual users belonging to affiliations in virtual spaces accessible via electronic social networks. Affiliations within one or more virtual spaces may be managed. A given affiliation within a given virtual space may comprise a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the given virtual space. Relationships within one or more electronic social network may be managed. A given relationship within a given electronic social network may represent a reciprocal relation between two or more users in the given electronic social network. Social graphs associated with individual users may be determined based on the affiliations within the one or more virtual spaces and the relationships within the one or more electronic social networks.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Kabam, Inc.Inventor: Amit Ranade
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Patent number: 9573065Abstract: Systems and methods for processing recommendations of online games to friends of social network are described. A method for processing recommendations includes identifying a gaming session of a user on an online game provider network, accessing a use profile of the user for the online games of the online game provider network, and accessing a social graph of the user to identify friends of the user and respective friend profiles from the social network. The method further includes producing a recommendation of an online game. The recommendation includes an identification of a target friend of the user and is being provided by examination of the use profile of the user and friend profiles in the social graph. The method includes providing the recommendation to the user. The recommendation also includes an offer incentive to the user to share the recommendation with the target friend.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Sudhir Kumar Rama Rao, Ara Nicholas Yessayan, Jr., Paul David Bettner, David Bettner, Paolo Malabuyo, Benjamin F. Gregorski, Michael Chow, Yie Lyn Choo
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Patent number: 9569933Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a localized, electronic card game tournament adaptable for play in private homes and public venues with no equipment or system modifications are disclosed. In one embodiment the tournament players' identities are verified. Once the players identities are identified, they are provided with handheld electronic game units and tournament entry credentials. Players will enter their tournament entry credentials into the respective handheld electronic game units. Once the tournament entry credentials have been entered into the handheld electronic game unit, game events are transmitted to the handheld electronic game unit from a single remote server. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tournament entry fee, if any, is maintained separately from the remote game server and the handheld electronic game units. The fees may be collected and/or winnings may be paid in case, through electronic transfer or through electronic currency.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventor: Brad Baker
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Server device, control method for server device, game system, and computer-readable recording medium
Patent number: 9566525Abstract: A server device and the like that can make a whole game and SNS more active by promoting the movement of players between groups to enhance the mobility of game participants. A server device comprises: an information storage unit for storing information of a game in which a plurality of players are able to participate and which includes a battle event; and a control unit for accessing the information and executing an operation related to the game. The server device executes a predetermined step that includes performing, when a first player transfers from a first group to a second group, payment and receipt of transfer points as compensation for the transfer between at least two out of the first player, the first group, and the second group.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GREE, Inc.Inventors: Koichi Suzuki, Eigo Isomura -
Patent number: 9569801Abstract: Individual users may log into the same online game from multiple different social networking platforms. The disclosed technology provides a way to unite users' accounts such that users that have logged into the online game from different social networking platforms can have their progress in the online game preserved regardless of which social networking platforms the user logged in from. Business intelligence about differences in the user's value when logging in from the different social networking platforms can be determined and incentivizing actions can be performed on the social networking platforms based on the business intelligence.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: KABAM, INC.Inventor: Ziqiang Xu
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Patent number: 9558623Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of placing real-world wagers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through location-based reveals to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user location even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers. The system may associate certain locations with a reveal such that when a user enters, is determined to be at, and/or leaves a reveal location, a reveal opportunity may be presented to the user. For example, the system may invite the user to make a purchase at a nearby partner retailer for a chance to win a payout or be guaranteed to win a payout and/or may simply obtain a particular payout (e.g., via cash, item, etc.) when a user enters a particular location.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Game Play Network, Inc.Inventors: Russell M. Fine, Jamison Selby
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Patent number: 9555333Abstract: A video gaming system and related network interfaces with an online fantasy sports game. The video game play is enhanced using various features of a fantasy sports game. Similarly, the fantasy sports game can be enhanced using various features of the video game play. In one aspect of the invention the video game system acquires a team roster of the fantasy sport game and the team roster is used to define the sports video game team. The sports video game also acquires sports video game parameters that are associated with real-life attributes of video game team members that are associated with the real-life team members. The video game play changes frequently over a sports season due to the changing video game parameters and fantasy sports settings being used to define video game play.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: VOODOO GAMING LLCInventors: Andrew S Hansen, David A Jones
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Patent number: 9545573Abstract: An example system includes: a communication device having a first wireless communication unit for sending and receiving data to and from an information processing apparatus through short-distance wireless communication; and an information processing apparatus having a second wireless communication unit for sending and receiving data to and from the communication device through short-distance wireless communication, a detector for detecting existence of the communication device in an effective communication area of the second wireless communication unit, an acceptance unit for accepting detection or non-detection by the detector as an input operation by a user, and an information processor for performing information processing in accordance with the input operation accepted by the acceptance unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyuki Shimohata, Kuniaki Ito, Hideki Ohashi
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Patent number: 9539518Abstract: In an approach, one or more player characters controllable by a first player account perform an action in an instance of a game world. In the event that the action meets one or more conditions for creating a nemesis, a computer system controlling the game instance selects a second player account to be invaded by a nemesis. When the second player account plays the game in the same or a different game instance, the computer system determines whether second one or more characters of the selected account meet one or more invasion conditions. If the invasion conditions are met, the computer system generates computer-controlled enemy NPCs for second one or more characters of the second player account to defeat. If the second account defeats the nemesis invasion, rewards are generated for the first and second player accounts. Otherwise, the computer system chooses a third player account for nemesis invasion.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Berger, Evan Greenstone
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Patent number: 9530276Abstract: When the player identifies herself to a gaming machine at a casino, for example by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader, she is, at generally the same time, logging onto a game provider's backend system (the game provider being different from the casino operator). This concurrent sign-on to the game provider's system is done in a non-intrusive, transparent, and passive manner. The player is not distracted from the normal steps leading to game play on the machine until she is ready to redeem points with the game provider or for some reason additional authentication is needed from the player. By virtue of this single sign-on to the game provider network, in addition to continuing game play across different casinos, the player can publish events to the Internet, such as on social networking sites, take advantage of offers targeted specifically for her, or facilitate responsible gaming programs.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Steven G. LeMay, William C. Little
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Patent number: 9524072Abstract: A system and method providing a player specific content includes a user device, a player picker for selecting a plurality of players for different teams to form player selections and a content delivery network receiving the player selections, comparing metadata of stored highlight clips with the player picks and communicating highlight clips corresponding to the player picks to the user device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: David E. Feldstein, Alistair E. Jeffs, Mark A. Shurgot, Matthew J. Thompson
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Patent number: 9511293Abstract: There is provided a system and method for interactive multi-player broadcast game, the system comprising a plurality of controllers; each controller capable of providing a set of game inputs to a game server in response to the broadcast; wherein the game server is operable to control game play and scoring; the game server further operable to either calculate or receive the latency data associated with each game controller depending on the type of controller and offset the latency during a time-sensitive game play. The above system allows different controllers to be used without biasing against relatively ‘dumb’ controllers such as the Plain Old Telephone (POT). Further, the above system allows massively multiplayer game to be played in the context of an interactive TV broadcast game with POT as controllers.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: TELEFUN TRANSMEDIA PTE LTDInventors: Frederick James Rondolo Benzon, Roland Benzon
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Patent number: 9498712Abstract: A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU. The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLCInventors: David Perry, Andrew Buchanan Gault, Rui Filipe Andrade Pereira
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Patent number: 9495450Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of providing an interactive audio presentation, at least in part, by traversing a plurality of audio animations, each audio animation comprising a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames comprising a duration, at least one audio element, and at least one gate indicating criteria for transitioning to and identification of a subsequent frame according to one or more probabilities, and/or a subsequent animation is provided. The method comprises rendering a first audio animation, receiving input from the user associated with the presentation, selecting a second audio animation based, at least in part, on the input, and rendering the second audio animation. Some aspects include a system for performing the above method and some aspects include a computer readable medium storing instructions that perform the above method when executed by at least one processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Kilgore
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Patent number: 9486706Abstract: A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream. Video frames provided by the video server optionally include overlays added to the output of the GPU. These overlays can include voice data received from another game player.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLCInventors: Rui Filipe Andrade Pereira, Andrew Buchanan Gault, David Perry
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Patent number: 9463388Abstract: Techniques for fantasy sport score reporting include progressively updating an estimated score for a team of fantasy players. A fantasy football team includes athletes that play for professional football teams. Performance of the athletes in their real life games earns each athlete points, which aid the fantasy teams with which they are associated. In a game between the two fantasy teams, an initial estimated score is provided, based on information about the athletes' past performances. As real life games are played by the athletes, how well certain athletes performed, and therefore portions of the estimated score, become known. As the information becomes known, the estimated score is refined. Thus, as real life games progress, estimated fantasy point information becomes a progressively better estimate of the actual/eventual fantasy game score. Ultimately, the estimated score is completely replaced with an actual score.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Inventors: David S. Thompson, David A. Divine
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Patent number: 9459903Abstract: Examples may include a host computing platform having a multi-core processor capable of supporting a host operating system and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs). Support may include processing elements or cores for the multi-core processor being capable of separately supporting individual VMs. The individual VMs may be capable of executing separate applications used to process packets for a service chain flow. In some examples, techniques for routing the packets for the service chain flow between the individual VMs may include distributing at least some switch logic between the individual VMs.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventor: Mark D. Gray
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Patent number: 9462069Abstract: A network comprises agents which act as proxies on behalf of devices, such as wireless game devices, phones and personal digital assistants. Each agent collects information concerning a “presence status” of a device. An agent determines whether to forward messages on to a device depending on the collected presence status (e.g., active/inactive) of the device. For example, if the presence status indicates the device is active then messages will be forwarded. If, however, the status indicates the device is inactive the message will not be forwarded. Instead, the agent may act as a proxy for the device while it is inactive. By only forwarding messages when a device is active, valuable airlink time and/or bandwidth can be conserved.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Girish P. Chandranmenon, Fang Hao, Scott C. Miller, Sarit Mukherjee, Tejas Naik
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Patent number: 9460584Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include a recording of a first wagering game content from a first wagering game played during a wagering game session and generating an electronic (e.g., an “e-mail”) message, after the wagering game session ends. The operations can also include embedding in the electronic message an object that provides access to a second wagering game content. The second wagering game content includes a recording of the first wagering game. The operations can further include sending the electronic message to an electronic address for a wagering game player account associated with the wagering game session, and detecting access to the second wagering game content, via the electronic message. The second wagering game content can re-present the portion of the first wagering game content as part of the second wagering game content.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn, Richard B. Robbins
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Patent number: 9454872Abstract: Some implementations of the invention provide methods and devices for various types of adventure sequences that preferably involve, at least in part, wagering games. Such sequences may involve wagering and/or other games at a plurality of gaming devices, tables and/or gaming establishments. Some implementations provide a virtual gaming experience wherein one or more other environments (e.g., environments that include gaming establishments) are simulated at a single location. Accordingly, adventure sequences described herein may comprise stages in one or more virtual environments, stages in one or more real environments or a combination of the two. Virtual players, also referred to herein as player game agents (“PGAs”), may act on behalf of real players. A PGA may be able to play games autonomously, e.g., when the associated player is at a different location and/or is not aware of the PGA's current activities. PGAs may be enabled to negotiate on behalf of real players, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: David Hugh Muir, Binh T. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9454873Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Think Tek, Inc.Inventor: Richard Rowe
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Patent number: 9450900Abstract: Communications may be facilitated among users belonging to affiliations spanning two or more virtual spaces accessible via virtual environments. In exemplary implementations, affiliations within individual virtual spaces may be managed. A given affiliation within a given virtual space may comprise a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the given virtual space. A communications interface may be provided for presentation to individual users. The communications interface may be configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming communications and provide out-going communications. Synchronous and/or asynchronous communications may be facilitated via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations. The communications may be facilitated among users belonging to a common overarching affiliation, which may encompass two or more affiliations from different virtual spaces that include substantially the same group of users.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: KABAM, INC.Inventor: Amit Ranade
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Video acquisition and compilation system and method of assembling and distributing a composite video
Patent number: 9443556Abstract: FIG. 7 shows a camera system (700) that operates to time-stamp video content captured from multiple cameras (740) relative to a recorded and time-synchronized location of a portable tracking unit (722). The position of the cameras (740) is known to the system. Based on the time and position data for each uniquely identifiable tracking unit, an editing suite (770) automatically compiles a composite video made up from time-spliced video segments from the various cameras. Video or still images captured by the cameras (740)are cross-referenced against the client address stored in database (760) and related to the assigned, uniquely identifiable tracking unit (722). A server (750) is arranged to use the client address to send reminder messages, which reminder messages may include selected images taken by the composite video. Alternatively, a client (720) can use the client address to access the database and view the composite video.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignees: E-Plate Limited, UStar LimitedInventors: Michael Cordell, Paul Michael Seaton, Marcus Timothy Boden -
Patent number: 9443379Abstract: A gaming system is operated by comparing a mobile device elevation at which a mobile device is located to one or more authorized elevations that correspond to areas where mobile gaming is permitted, wherein the one or more authorized elevations is adjusted according to a height of a user of the mobile device, responsive to the comparing, permitting gaming using the mobile device when the mobile device elevation is within the one or more adjusted authorized elevations, and not permitting gaming using the mobile device when the mobile device elevation is outside the one or more adjusted authorized elevations, and permitting non-gaming operations using the mobile device regardless of whether the mobile device elevation is within or outside the one or more authorized elevations.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: Eric L. Abbott