With Communication Link (e.g., Television Broadcast, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/40)
  • Patent number: 9011249
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one wagering game, a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, and a controller operative to process signals output from a movement sensor. A movement sensor is disposed in the handheld gaming machine to sense movements of the handheld gaming machine and/or a sub-portion thereof and to output signals relating to the movements to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Vernon Hamlin, Alfred Thomas, Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 9015772
    Abstract: An interactive gaming channel presented on a monitor, with a plurality of transponders being used to present the games available at a given time. Such a channel in accordance with the present invention comprises a game selection screen, comprising a genre selection area and a game selection area, related to the genre selection area, wherein a viewer of the monitor selects a game to be played from a plurality of games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Thompson, Richard F. Purpura, Eric W. Adams, Andrew K. Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 9011251
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Jason C. Gilmore, Thomas M. Kopera, Christy Juinsuk Olson
  • 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: 9011226
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multiplayer card game with multiple fold options and interrelated bonuses. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to input either a first fold input or a second different fold input should the player desire to fold the player's hand during a play of the card game. If the gaming system receives the first fold input from the player, the gaming system: (a) folds the player's hand, (b) automatically removes the player from the virtual table, and (c) automatically assigns the player to a second different virtual table for at least one subsequent play of the card game. If, on the other hand, the gaming system receives the second fold input from the player, the gaming system folds the player's hand and does not remove the player from the virtual table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Andreas C. Montano
  • Patent number: 9011242
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Ziqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 9015784
    Abstract: A method comprising running a web browser on one or more servers of a service center, and hosting files for a web page on a storage unit associated with the one or more servers. Upon receiving user input from a client device to the web browser at the service center, streaming interactive video web page is transmitted to the client device with substantially no detectable latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: OL2, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Roger van der Laan
  • Patent number: 9011244
    Abstract: An exemplary game system includes a monitor for displaying a game image or a television program, and a terminal device having a camera, a microphone, and a loudspeaker. When a user is playing a game or viewing a television program by using the monitor, another user can have chat by using the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nogami, Tomoaki Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20150105160
    Abstract: A handheld terminal 200 performs wireless communication with a game apparatus 103 and determines whether the wireless communication with the game apparatus 103 is possible. The game apparatus 103 performs wireless communication with the handheld terminal 200 and determines whether the wireless communication with the handheld terminal 200 is possible. The game apparatus 103 performs a return home determination process, based on the determination about whether the wireless communication is possible, when the wireless communication with the handheld terminal 200 has become, after having become disabled, enabled again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 9005030
    Abstract: A system for sharing score experiences includes one or more devices on which one or more games are played, a gameplay experience service arrangement and a communication arrangement for communicatively coupling the devices to the gameplay experience service arrangement. The devices include computing hardware for executing one or more games software products for implementing the one or more games when executed upon the computing hardware. The devices are operable to record a gameplay experience (GEV) played thereupon including an associated score, wherein the one or more devices are operable to upload their recorded gameplay experiences (GEV) and associated score to the gameplay experience service arrangement which maintains a score list corresponding to the uploaded gameplay experiences. The score list is accessible to the devices for identifying relative gameplay performances of users of the devices, for example via replaying of the recorded gameplay experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Applifier Oy
    Inventors: Jussi Laakkonen, Olli Sinerma
  • Patent number: 9005027
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computer-based simulations and synthetic environment generation, and more particularly, to a system, a computer-readable medium, a method and an apparatus for generating synthetic environments in a distributed architecture to, among other things, introduce dynamic content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Trion Worlds, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ernest Lee, David M. Aldridge, Bryan Joseph Farina, Jon Edward Van Caneghem
  • Patent number: 9005036
    Abstract: Users are arranged to employ gameplay terminals which including computing hardware for executing one or more software products The users share gameplay experiences by including in the one or more software products a host game software application for implementing one or more games on one or more of the terminals, and appending one or more software components to the host game software application for providing control of the host game software application on a real-time basis for recording gameplay experiences for sharing amongst the users based upon one or more of: game view, sub-game view, sensor data employed to control the game, video camera views of one or more users playing the game, game events occurring during playing the game. A software development kit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Applifier Oy
    Inventors: Jussi Laakkonen, Olli Sinerma
  • Patent number: 9005028
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Gary
  • Publication number: 20150099586
    Abstract: In a communication device comprising an operating system platform, which is operable to provide wired and/or wireless communication, and gaming, automatically detecting by the operating system platform, occurrence of one or more engaging gameplay moments for a corresponding game. For one or more users, the operating system platform may be operable to monitor one or more variables for the game to detect the occurrence of the one or more engaging gameplay moments. The operating system platform may be operable to detect whether to share information related to the one or more engaging gameplay moments with one or more social networking destinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Huang, Jennifer Anne Lees
  • Patent number: 8998722
    Abstract: A gaming platform is presented where various types of non-game domains can be incorporated into a game as a game component. Two or more domains, possibly a website, can become a territory within an online game where players cooperate or compete to dominate the website. The domains can be bridged or otherwise linked to form a game map topology, and allow movement of a player's units from one domain to another. The game space can be presented to players as an overlay in a browser allowing players to engage the game and browse domain content without necessarily affecting the underlying website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Elan Lee, Michael Sean Stewart, James Stewartson
  • Patent number: 9002992
    Abstract: A technique and apparatus for backing up and restoring game application state across multiple devices are disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of a game application at a first device. Based on any of various criteria, such as the proximity between the first device and a second device, a computer makes a determination to synchronize the application state between the two devices. The computer causes the application state data, which represents an application state of the game application running on the first device, to be saved and made available to the second device, such as by saving the application state data to cloud storage. The second device receives the application state data and restores the game application state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Michael A. Chan, Justin Quan, Daniel R. Bornstein, Tom Moss, Linda Tong
  • Patent number: 8994776
    Abstract: A telepresence robot uses a series of connectible modules and preferably includes a head module adapted to receive and cooperate with a third party telecommunication device that includes a display screen. The module design provides cost advantages with respect to shipping and storage while also allowing flexibility in robot configuration and specialized applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: CrossWing Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Sutherland, Sam Coulombe, Dale Wick
  • Patent number: 8992329
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 8986105
    Abstract: A printing and dispensing system for an electronic gaming device has been developed. The system includes a gaming device with a processor that generates an outcome for the gambling device and a bonus system that generates payout that is supplemental to the payout of the gaming device. The supplemental payout is generated is response to gaming events in the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Douglas M. Okuniewicz
  • Patent number: 8986110
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments operate an anti-cheating hybrid game. One embodiment includes an anti-cheating hybrid game constructed to communicate occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of an entertainment game that triggers a randomly generated payout to a gambling game; where the anti-cheating hybrid game incorporates an anti-cheating module constructed to: receive player data for a player, where the player data is indicative of the player's current gameplay performance at the entertainment game; analyze the player data to determine whether cheating is occurring by comparing the player's current gameplay performance with historical gameplay data to evaluate whether the player's current gameplay performance is beyond the statistical limits of the randomness inherent in the anti-cheating hybrid game; and send a command to penalize the player during play of the entertainment game based upon a determination that cheating has occurred from the analyzed player data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Caitlyn Ross, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 8986097
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lottery ticket to a player of a hybrid game having a gambling game portion and an entertainment game portion are provided. One or more lottery tickets are generated by a lottery system and transmitted to the hybrid game where the one or more lottery tickets are held in a queue. Attendant rules for issuing a lottery ticket are also transmitted to the hybrid game. The hybrid game receives player actions from the entertainment portion of the hybrid game and, based on the player actions and the attendant rules, awards a lottery ticket to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 8986123
    Abstract: An information provision apparatus includes a storage section that stores item data, an update section that updates the item data when an item quantity change event has occurred during a first game that is executed by a first terminal, and a control section that causes a communication section to transmit item information to a second terminal when a purchase request operation has been performed by using a second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Satake, Masahiro Akatsuka
  • Patent number: 8979646
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described that allow a casino to dynamically service patrons. The dynamic systems and methods collect data related to the behavior of multiple people in a gaming establishment, and collect data for entertainment resources in the gaming establishment, such as gaming devices and services. The data may be flexibly used. In one embodiment, a person is at least partially identified in the casino. The gaming establishment uses a model that selects tailor offerings for a person, such as advertisements for services that the person may enjoy or games on gaming machines that the person may enjoy. The model selects a tailored offering for the person based on the at least partial identification and the data previously obtained for multiple people and entertainment resources. The identification, selection and offering may be performed in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Moser, Dwayne Nelson, Richard Williams, Rick Rowe
  • Patent number: 8979656
    Abstract: A game system includes multiple game machines which implement a game by alternating turns. Each game machine implements the game on its turn, and transmits game progress information to the other game machines. The game is implemented in accordance with the transmitted game progress information. A host game machine of the game machines transmits turn determination information to the other game machines, and receives turn completion information from each of the other game machines. When the turn confirmation information is not returned from one of the other game machines, the host game machine recognizes that communication has been cut off. When the communication has been cut off, the host game machine functions as a substitute for the cut off game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventors: Masanori Ichikawa, Toshiyuki Uehara, Akihito Ota, Kei Shimo, Toshihiko Machita, Kunihiro Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 8979655
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system for providing a virtualized application hosting environment comprising: a plurality of application/game servers each having a memory for storing application program code and data and a processor for executing the application program code and processing the data on behalf of a client; a virtualization service executed on each of the application/game servers, the virtualization service comprising a file redirection module for redirecting file read/write operations generated by the application program code to one or more virtualized file locations; and a registry redirection module for intercepting registry operations generated by the application program code and executing the registry operations on behalf of the application program code at one or more virtualized registry locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: OL2, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinod Mamtani, Brett McLarnon, Jay Markello, Scott Heath
  • Patent number: 8974308
    Abstract: A method and system is provided to tie role-driven gaming purchases to executable transactions during a game so that on-line or related gaming systems create economic value inside the game itself. Players may control characters within a game which uses money to exchange goods or services to reach a goal, accomplish a task, or succeed in an event. The invention also provides for a participant to enter a game as a service provider to other players wherein the player receives compensation for the service. The service may be to provide aid in the form of a character or to provide educational services, for example. Accounts may be created to accumulate winnings or earnings as games are played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Kevin C. McConnell, James W. Seaman
  • Patent number: 8974296
    Abstract: A game apparatus executes game processing on the basis of microphone input information input through a microphone. The CPU of the game apparatus executes an imaging step for imaging a user with a camera, a detection determining step for determining whether or not a user is detected on the basis of image data indicating the image obtained by imaging through the imaging step, and a performing step for performing the game processing on the basis of the microphone input information when the detection determining step determines that the user is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuya Satoh, Youhei Kubotsu
  • Patent number: 8976007
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for a wearable band adapted to be worn by a user. The wearable band may include one or more biometric sensors such as a pulse monitor adapted to monitor a pulse of the user, and a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit pulse information from the pulse monitor to a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or PDA. The wearable band does not include a display for the biometric information. Numerous additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian M. Dugan, Steven M. Santisi, Jean Pierre Latrille
  • Patent number: 8974307
    Abstract: A system for allowing a user to remotely access a game includes: a game console; a remote console client configured to receive a game control signal; and a remote console server. The remote console server includes an audio and video encoder configured to receive an audio output and a video output from the game console and to convert the audio output and the video output to a network packet. The remote console server also includes: a game controller emulation unit and a network interface configured to send and receive the network packet. The game controller emulation unit is configured to receive a game controller signal from the game console and to send the game controller signal to the remote console client and to receive a game controller input from the remote console client and send the game controller input to the game console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Elbo, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Walker, Oswald Anthony Becca
  • Patent number: 8974303
    Abstract: A local engagement system is described herein that leverages devices people commonly carry with them to dynamically engage them based on their locations and/or activities. One goal of the above referenced system is to leverage the power of the various devices present while providing the audience with a chance to better engage and participate with each other. A side benefit is additional opportunities to market products and services in new and exciting ways. The system includes a presentation component at the event or venue that links to existing systems, a web interface, and optional individual client applications for the devices. Thus, the local engagement system provides a highly engaging experience to people that might otherwise be idle and provides an enhanced opportunity for advertisers or educators to reach the people and give them something entertaining to do.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Marc E. Mercuri, James O. Tisdale
  • Patent number: 8974294
    Abstract: Methods and systems for gaming are provided. A transpiring of a collective element in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game is determined where the collective element is shared by two or more players of the entertainment portion of the hybrid, and where the hybrid game includes a gambling game portion and the entertainment game portion. A wager is triggered in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game based on the transpiring of the collective element in the entertainment game portion of the hybrid game. A real world credit gambling game result is distributed in the gambling game portion of the hybrid game between the two or more players. The distribution may be made on the basis of various parameters of the use of the shared collective element by the players. In addition, an allocation of an amount of a real world credit for the wager may also be based on various parameters of the players use of the shared collective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 8974285
    Abstract: One or more instances of a bonus game (e.g., Class II games such as Bingo games) may be provided to players of another wagering game (e.g., a Class III game such as a slot game, a poker game, etc.). Some implementations of the invention allow players to exchange indicia of credit (e.g., money, game credits, or player loyalty points) for bonus opportunities. For example, players may be able to purchase one or more Bingo cards for Bingo bonus games. Some implementations award bonus opportunities to players based on wager levels, game results, a player's level in a player loyalty program and/or other criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay Roper, Cara Iddings, Craig A. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 8974302
    Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to mobile gaming, location determination, mobile devices, authentication, and so on are described. Various methods are described. Various apparatus are described. Further embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Amaitis, Paul Williams, Sunny Tara, Matthew Morrissette
  • Patent number: 8974300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote play device for an interactive entertainment system and may include a class D amplifier and at least one motion detection device. The remote play device may also include a processor to adapt sound effects played through the class D amplifier based upon the at least one motion detection device. A battery may also be included powering at least the class D amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelici, Andrea Onetti
  • Patent number: 8972476
    Abstract: When evidence is received, a determination is made as to whether the evidence is sufficient to determine whether to block transmission of virtual world data to a client device. If it is determined that the evidence is sufficient, then another determination is made as to whether to block transmission of virtual world data to the client device based on the evidence. If it is determined to block transmission of virtual world data to the client, a data protection and abstraction module is transformed to a first state that blocks transmission of the virtual world data to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Tobin Titus
  • Patent number: 8968088
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 8968067
    Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing personalized leaderboards based upon user parameters, game parameters or a combination thereof. The personalized leaderboard determined by identifying a group of users (i) to which the first user belongs, and (ii) among which performance in the online game by the first user as characterized by the first set of game parameter values is relatively high. Providing leaderboards where the user features relatively high incentivizes the user to continue playing the game to continue progressing toward the top of the leaderboard, improving player retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 8973083
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method of integrating video games into live sporting events, or the converse, in an interactive way. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a viewer watching a broadcast sporting event can elect to become a “phantom participant” in an event. At one or more designated points in the event (e.g., a golf tournament), the viewer's set-top box will switch from feeding the broadcast event to the viewer's television screen to feeding a stream from a video game unit to the same television screen. The video game unit is configured to receive information from the broadcast feed that includes information such as, but not limited to, the event location, the hole being played (in the golf example), the participants, and statistics related to the performance of the participants. This information may be used by the video game unit to present the viewer with the opportunity to “virtually” compete with the participants in the broadcast event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Belton, David J. Braun
  • Patent number: 8961320
    Abstract: A portable, handholdable device includes global positioning system (GPS) circuitry, a camera, a user interface configured to receive user inputs, the user interface including a display; wireless communication circuitry for mobile wireless communications, and a processing system configured to execute a program using a position determined by the GPS circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles P. Eck, Hiroshi Kamada, Claude Comair
  • Patent number: 8961295
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide power management on a wagering game machine. Inrush power may be reduced by staggering application of power to various power supplies in a wagering game machine. A processor or timer may control the activation of power supplies. Further power management may be provided by placing wagering game machine peripherals in a power consumption mode appropriate to the activity or lack of activity on a wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Michael J. Sosnoski
  • Patent number: 8961306
    Abstract: A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) within the gaming system can be configured to allow play of wager-based games and interact with portable electronic devices. The EGMs can be configured with one or more of mechanisms that enable a user to establish and then determine a status of a communication session between a portable electronic device and the EGM. In addition, the EGMs can be configured with one or more mechanisms that enable a user to determine a status of a transaction or application involving a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven G. LeMay, Dwayne R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8961315
    Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks by users in a computer game environment. In some situations, the techniques include automated operations of a system that receives multiple tasks from a task fulfillment system, provides the multiple tasks to multiple users as part of playing an electronic game, receives results of performance of the tasks by the users as part of the game playing, sends the task performance results to the task fulfillment system, receives and retains monetary compensation for the performance of the tasks, and provides non-monetary virtual rewards to the multiple users for the performance of the provided multiple tasks. The non-monetary virtual rewards may be rewards that are part of the electronic game and are usable by the multiple users as part of the playing of the electronic game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eden G. Adogla
  • Patent number: 8956221
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that authorize and manage wagering agents and associated accounts. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can detecting a request from a first player account to utilize a shared wagering fund to wager on a wagering game. The shared wagering fund can be funded by a second player account. The wagering game system can make the shared wagering fund available to the first player account to wager on a wagering game. The wagering game system can determine a game award produced by the wagering game. The system can then allocate a portion of the game award to the second player account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Peter R. Anderson, Christopher R. Barney, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8951122
    Abstract: A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoya Tanaka, Masato Kuwahara, Toru Oe, Teruyuki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8951126
    Abstract: A game system is provided in which, when data is transmitted to a game apparatus of a receiver side, the influence which the transmitted data has on a game progressing in the game apparatus of the receiver side is diversified and the interest of the game is increased. The game apparatus includes a display in which a field map represents all or part of a game field in a plan view as seen from the above. A placement request icon is displayed on the display. When touching the placement request icon, a sub-character can be placed at a position where a main character is located. When a sub-character icon is selected and content of an event is determined, the sub-character is placed. When a communication connection with a different game apparatus is established, information related to the placed sub-character is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Tai Yasue
  • Patent number: 8944903
    Abstract: A system according to an embodiment includes a game progress control unit configured to control progress of a game, a screen output unit configured to output a game screen containing a path area in which a path of a puzzle game is formed to a terminal device, a placement unit configured to place a path object that functions as part of the path on the basis of advancement of turns in the path area according to an instruction from the player, a moving unit configured to advance the turns to move the moving object according to a predetermined rule, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the moving object has reached a goal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Machida, Ryosuke Abe, Seiichiro Sumiyoshi, Hikaru Baba, Yudai Moteki, Shinya Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8944922
    Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped to transfer gaming elements stored on the portable communication device to a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined gaming element transfer query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The target electronic device receives one or more gaming elements from the portable communication device via the NFC module or a data object via the NFC module that enables the target electronic device to acquire the one or more gaming elements from a remote storage (e.g., a gaming server).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Johan Westerberg
  • Patent number: 8949922
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a server that generates a stream of streaming interactive video and/or audio. Means for multicasting the stream to a plurality of client devices accommodating different device video, audio and/or network characteristics, and means for allowing input from one or more of the client devices to control the streaming interactive video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: OL2, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Roger van der Laan
  • Patent number: 8947238
    Abstract: A system and method for multi-media experience capture and data transfer includes a system for transferring data including a first wireless communication system located on a moveable amusement attraction, a second wireless communication system located on the moveable amusement attraction, and logic to operate the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system based on a changeable parameter of the moveable amusement attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David Canora, Shannon Richard Monroe, Peter Stepniewicz
  • Patent number: 8944915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for executing multiple video games, or other sources of video, include a game execution environment in which each game application is executed on the same operating system but within a virtual I/O shell. The virtual I/O shell includes virtual video, audio and input channels that allow each game application to operate as if it had dedicated drivers. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention are used to provide video streams to a plurality of clients over the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Buchanan Gault, Rui Filipe Andrade Pereira