Simulated-projectile Game, Target Therefor, Or Accessory Patents (Class 463/49)
  • Patent number: 11688126
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus comprises processing circuitry configured to: acquire volumetric image data for rendering; determine a plurality of positions of a viewpoint or positions of a light based on distance, or other spatial relationship, between the viewpoint or light and a surface or other selected feature in the image data; and render the volumetric data based on the plurality of viewpoint positions or light positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Magnus Wahrenberg
  • Patent number: 11207010
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that uses a video game to improve spatial and/or temporal information-processing capabilities of a user. During operation, the system enables the user to play the video game. During execution of the video game, the system first measures spatial and/or temporal information-processing capabilities of the user during the course of playing the video game. Next, the system uses the measured spatial and/or temporal information-processing capabilities to control a spatial placement and/or a temporal presentation rate of target items that the user is required to respond to during subsequent game play to stimulate enhancement of the user's spatial and/or temporal information-processing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Anthony J. Simon
  • Patent number: 10857462
    Abstract: A virtual character controlling method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: when detecting a first sliding operation on a shooting control, a virtual character is controlled to move according to the first sliding operation; when detecting a second sliding operation on an aiming area, an aiming direction of the virtual character is adjusted according to the second sliding operation; and when detecting the first sliding operation on the shooting control is ended, the virtual character is controlled to stop moving, and a shooting operation is performed toward a current aiming direction of the virtual control object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yiming Wei
  • Patent number: 10807001
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an information processing method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for controlling transmission and presentation of interaction information between game terminals. A graphical user interface of the game terminal includes at least pan of game scene and a mini-map, and the method includes: acquiring a position information of a first virtual character in the game scene, by a first game terminal, and determining a direction information according to a preset direction determination rule; sending, by the first game terminal, the position information and the direction information to a second game terminal; and generating a graphical positioning mark in the mini-map on the graphical user interface of the second game terminal according to the position information and the direction information, wherein the graphical positioning mark comprises a position indicator for indicating the position information and a direction indicator for indicating the direction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Ge
  • Patent number: 10675540
    Abstract: A virtual character controlling method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: when detecting a first sliding operation on a shooting control, a virtual character is controlled to move according to the first sliding operation; when detecting a second sliding operation on an aiming area, an aiming direction of the virtual character is adjusted according to the second sliding operation; and when detecting the first sliding operation on the shooting control is ended, the virtual character is controlled to stop moving, and a shooting operation is performed toward a current aiming direction of the virtual control object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yiming Wei
  • Patent number: 10532286
    Abstract: A reactive emitter associated with an object in a video game emits an asset in response to a secondary effect of an activity that occurs in the video game within a vicinity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.
    Inventors: Josh Lord, Stephen Miller, David Rowe
  • Patent number: 10406437
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a route navigation system that can aid the user by providing navigational aids for navigating within a virtual game environment. The navigational aids can provide visual indications to the user within the game environment in order to help direct the character to navigation objects used for traversing the environment. The navigation information used for navigation within the game environment can be determined based on a route navigation grid. A navigation module can utilize the navigation grid to help users navigate characters within the game environments of the game application. The route navigation grid can be generated based on aggregated route information and telemetry data associated with a plurality of users of the game application. The route generation module can be configured to automatically generate navigation links between navigation nodes within game environment based on telemetric data sourced from users of the game application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventor: Mark Scheurwater
  • Patent number: 10378845
    Abstract: A smart gun is provided that maintains a default locked state. The smart gun can be selectively unlocked for a predetermined period of time using a predetermined gesture that is detected by a gyrosensor locked in the smart gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventor: Masato Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10322345
    Abstract: A game program product may include, but is not limited to: a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a computer program stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program is, when executed by a computer of a game system, to cause the computer to at least: display at least: 1) a reference indicator at a position over a display screen; and 2) a moving object which moves toward the reference indicator on the display screen; change a position of a reference indicator displayed at a position over the display screen; receive an input of a user's operation; and determine success or failure of the user's operation, based at least in part on: a timing of receiving the input of the user's operation, and a timing that the moving object reaches the reference indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Yoshitaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9816783
    Abstract: In a target-shooting simulation system, a master control unit issues flight control instructions to a flight-capable drone to cause the drone to fly along a predetermined flight path and receives GPS coordinates transmitted by a control unit of the drone as the drone flies along the predetermined flight path. The master control unit additionally obtains GPS coordinates, orientation and motion information with respect to a replica firearm, detects actuation of a trigger of the replica firearm and, in response to detecting actuation of the trigger, determines, based on the GPS coordinates of the drone and the GPS coordinates, orientation and motion information with respect to the replica firearm, whether a trajectory of a theoretical shot fired by the replica firearm at time of the trigger actuation will intercept the drone as it flies along the predetermined flight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DuckDrone, LLC
    Inventors: Grady Means, Thor Sigvaldason
  • Patent number: 9333420
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: FOURTHIRTYTHREE INC.
    Inventor: Gwi Seong Yang
  • Patent number: 9269152
    Abstract: Objects within a scene are modeled in two- or three-dimensions by acquiring slices of data from a distributed sensor array and generating the model of the object at least in part from those slices. The distributed sensor array may comprise optical transmitters and optical receivers configured such that they may be individually addressed and activated. The system described herein may be used to support an augmented reality environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Worley, III, Petr G. Shepelev, Edward Dietz Crump, Robert W. Sjoberg
  • Patent number: 9132342
    Abstract: A multi dynamic environment and location based active augmented/mixed reality (AR) gaming system having means to utilize its surrounding environment and locations of other systems and devices in conjunction with computer based advanced calculation and graphics to dynamically change the gaming environment to any location and environment of a game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SULON TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Dhanushan Balachandreswaran, Kibaya Mungai Njenga
  • Patent number: 9039537
    Abstract: In a method for determining a shot position of a light gun on a display screen, a current image is captured by an image capturing device of the light gun. The method detects a screen area in the current image, calculates coordinates of an aimed point of the light gun on the display screen when the screen area has been detected, and transmits the coordinates of the aimed point of the light gun to a host computer so that a shot result of the light gun is displayed on the display screen by the host computer according to the coordinates of the aimed point of the light gun on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
  • Patent number: 9011151
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for simulating firing a gun comprises a firing system and a transmitting system coupled to the firing system. The firing system fires a cartridge and comprises a chamber and a hammer. The chamber receives and holds the cartridge, and the hammer strikes the cartridge. The transmitting system detects movement of the hammer and transmits simulation data prior to the hammer striking the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Giles D. Jones, Qingce Bian, Christopher A. Tomlinson, Jeffrey E. Decker, William W. Price, Bradley C Huang, Peter M. Wallrich
  • Patent number: 8920245
    Abstract: Techniques for recognizing the accomplishments of a game player are disclosed herein. In particular, a user identification profile is provided so that digital items awarded to the user for meeting specified performance criteria in a video game or some other event may be associated with such user identification profile. The digital item may be something that is usable within the current video game title, in a later version or the next generation of a particular video game title, or even in a different video game by the same developer. One technique involves receiving an identification representative of the digital item awarded to the user, associating the digital item with the user identification profile corresponding to the user, and storing an indication that the digital item is associated with the user identification profile. In this way, the indication may be utilized to display the digital item in the user identification profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan B. Cooper
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8888594
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a moving object within a virtual space on the basis of acceleration data and angular velocity data which are transmitted from a controller. For example, before the angular velocity data is above a predetermined magnitude, a position and an orientation of the moving object is controlled on the basis of the angular velocity data. When the angular velocity data is above the predetermined magnitude, an initial velocity of the moving object is decided on the basis of the acceleration data, and a moving direction (orientation) of the moving object is decided on the basis of the angular velocity data. Thereafter, the moving object moves within the virtual space according to a general physical behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Hiratake, Takayuki Shimamura, Yoshikazu Yamashita, Masahiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8840473
    Abstract: A shooting equipment shooting direction control system includes a base unit including a circuit module, a transmission mechanism and a driver controllable by a first micro switch and a second micro switch of the circuit module to rotate the transmission mechanism horizontally left and right, a rotary holder shell coupled and rotatable by the transmission mechanism to move a baffle between the first micro switch and the second micro switch, and a shooting equipment including an equipment base, a power drive unit controllable by the circuit module through a third micro switch and a fourth micro switch in the rotary holder shell to rotate the equipment base vertically up and down relative to the rotary holder shell and a dogleg-shaped trigger movable with the equipment base relative to the rotary holder shell between the third micro switch and the fourth micro switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Axpro Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Peng-Hsien Chen, Fa-Quey Lai, Ying-Fu Lin, Shih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 8831255
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) audio system for augmenting environment or ambient sound with sounds from a virtual speaker or sound source positioned at a location in the space surrounding an AR participant. The sound from the virtual speaker may be triggered by an action of the listener and/or by the location or relative orientation of the listener. The AR audio system includes stereo earphones receiving an augmented audio track from a control unit, and binaural microphones are provided to capture ambient sounds. The control unit operates to process trigger signals and retrieve one or more augmentation sounds. The control unit uses an AR audio mixer to combine the ambient sound from the microphones with the augmentation sounds to generate left and right ear augmented audio or binaural audio, which may be modified for acoustic effects of the environment including virtual objects in the environment or virtual characteristics of real objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Amber Samdahl, Jeffrey Voris, Istvan B. Kadar, Kenny Mitchell
  • 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: 8777620
    Abstract: A firearm training system provides a firearm body having a trigger and a trigger pull sensor circuit. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger pull sensor circuit provides trigger pull data allowing monitoring of the actual two-dimensional trigger pull path taken by the trigger during the trigger pull. The trigger pull path is graft on a predetermined map together with boundary lines representing a predetermined difference threshold from ideal trigger pull data. The system provides a way to monitor trigger pull path to determine whether the trigger has been pulled laterally and/or the firearm body has moved with respect to a longitudinal axis of the firearm body during the trigger pull. By repeatedly monitoring trigger pulls using the system, a user can train to improve trigger pull technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TriggerMaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcom Baxter
  • Patent number: 8674937
    Abstract: A pointing device includes a controller for pointing a position on a display surface by imaging an imaging objective such as two markers positioned with a predetermined interval therebetween in a vicinity of the display surface of a monitor. With the pointing device, a width of the display surface and the interval between the markers are obtained to determine an appropriate distance between the controller and the monitor. Further, a current distance between the controller and the monitor (markers) is calculated. Relation between the current distance and the appropriate distance is notified by such as image display or sound output. For example, an image indicating the appropriate distance and an adjustment image varying in size in conjunction with the current distance are displayed on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Aonuma, Kenji Matsutani
  • Patent number: 8632412
    Abstract: Techniques for recognizing the accomplishments of a game player are disclosed herein. In particular, a user identification profile is provided so that digital items awarded to the user for meeting specified performance criteria in a video game or some other event may be associated with such user identification profile. The digital item may be something that is usable within the current video game title, in a later version or the next generation of a particular video game title, or even in a different video game by the same developer. One technique involves receiving an identification representative of the digital item awarded to the user, associating the digital item with the user identification profile corresponding to the user, and storing an indication that the digital item is associated with the user identification profile. In this way, the indication may be utilized to display the digital item in the user identification profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan B. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8622843
    Abstract: A method of conveying a command to a user using a practice system is provided. The method includes detecting movement of the user using a sensor; selecting a command from a list of pre-determined commands; and conveying the command to the user using a signaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ralph C. Fuccillo, Andrew P. Brosky
  • Patent number: 8618190
    Abstract: A latex marking ink suitable for marking rubber articles has been developed. The ink comprises vulcanizable rubber latex, pigment, vulcanizing agent, and non-ionic stabilizer dispersed in water. Shear stability is dramatically and unexpectedly increased by the presence of the non-ionic stabilizer even though viscosity also increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PolyOne Corporation
    Inventors: Heather E. Burik, Steve White
  • Patent number: 8544341
    Abstract: A device for estimating a stream of urine entering a toilet or urinal includes a measuring unit configured to estimate an amount of the stream of urine, and an indicator to provide an indication to an individual of the amount of the stream of urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Ernest W. Grumbles, Timothy A. Bachman, John W. Ahern
  • Patent number: 8535132
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU sets a moving direction, that is, a position and an orientation of a moving object within a game space on the basis of angular velocity data transmitted from a first controller, that is, an attitude of a gyro sensor unit (gyro sensor). Then, when a second controller is drawn toward a near side in a state that a C button and a Z button thereof are simultaneously pressed, and the C button and the Z button are simultaneously released in that state, the moving object is shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimamura, Shinya Hiratake, Toyoki Kataoka, Yoshikazu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8529355
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a moving object within a virtual space on the basis of acceleration data and angular velocity data which are transmitted from a controller. For example, before the angular velocity data is above a predetermined magnitude, a position and an orientation of the moving object is controlled on the basis of the angular velocity data. When the angular velocity data is above the predetermined magnitude, an initial velocity of the moving object is decided on the basis of the acceleration data, and a moving direction (orientation) of the moving object is decided on the basis of the angular velocity data. Thereafter, the moving object moves within the virtual space according to a general physical behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Hiratake, Takayuki Shimamura, Yoshikazu Yamashita, Masahiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8523185
    Abstract: A target shooting system includes a gun which shoots a projectile at a target which is part of a target assembly. The target includes a sensor which senses a projectile hit, and passes an electronic signal to a target information processor located in the target assembly. The target information processor processes the hit information, and transmits a target hit signal to a system processor over a wireless rf link. The system processor stores and displays the hit information, and broadcasts a hit announcement to the shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Don Herbert Gilbreath, Conor Patrick Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 8469824
    Abstract: A device combining a gun and target for facilitating a game of tag using infrared light communications and augmented reality with one or more players is provided. The device includes infrared transmitters and infrared receivers to facilitate omni-directional two-way communication between two or more devices and a shaped housing facilitating handling of the device by a user. The housing includes a grip portion with a finger-operable trigger and a barrel portion. A mobile electronic device is used as an accessory to provide single player and multiplayer augmented reality game play and a user-interface including a display and a touch screen for programming the device and controlling various game and device functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Farley, David Small
  • Patent number: 8376850
    Abstract: A game controller includes a housing, a number of press sensors and touch sensors, and a main circuit embedded in the housing powered by a battery. The main circuit includes a collecting module, a comparing module and a controlling module. The press sensors detects pressure from the housing and outputting a number of pressure signals. The touch sensors detects a plurality of touch signals. The collecting module collects and combines the pressure signals and the touch signals into a first positioning signal and a second positioning signal correspondingly. The comparing module predetermines a number of preset signal values and a number of preset pitches correspondingly and compares the first and second positioning signals with the preset signal values. The controlling module triggers one of the preset pitches when the first positioning signal and the second positioning signal are equal to the preset signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Ter Lin, Yen-Hao Lai
  • Patent number: 8342968
    Abstract: A method of conveying a command to a user using a practice system is provided. The method includes detecting movement of the user using a sensor; selecting a command from a list of pre-determined commands; and conveying the command to the user using a signaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Ralph C. Fuccillo, Andrew P. Brosky
  • Patent number: 8308564
    Abstract: Game data variable in accordance with the state of an input device and usable for game processing is sequentially obtained. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition for the game processing has been fulfilled based on the game data. Information on an indicated position on a game image, which is calculated from the game data when the predetermined condition has been fulfilled, is obtained. A moving speed of the input device which is calculated from the game data is also obtained. When the obtained moving speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, an object which appears in a virtual game space and is related to the indicated position is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misuzu Yoshida, Masayuki Taira, Yuuji Kando
  • Patent number: 8303421
    Abstract: A device combining a gun and target for facilitating a game of tag using infrared light communications between a two or more players is provided. The device includes two infrared transmitters and two infrared receivers and a shaped housing facilitating handling of the device by a user. The housing includes a grip portion with a finger-operable trigger, a barrel portion and a user-interface including a display and a keypad for programming the device and controlling various game and device functions. A first infrared transmitter transmits a directional infrared signal to another game participant and a first infrared receiver receives an acknowledgment signal therefrom in response to the transmitted directional signal. A second infrared transmitter and second infrared receiver facilitate omni-directional two-way communications between two or more devices before, during, and after a game of infrared electronic tag allowing functions such as game setup, player identification and gameplay analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Farley, David Small
  • Patent number: 8206195
    Abstract: A shooting toy used in a game for two or more players for enabling players to actually sense the thrill of close combat. The toy include an infrared ray signal generating section 25, an infrared ray signal receiving section 31,a damage value determining section 35, a radio signal transmitting section 37, a radio signal receiving section 39, a radio intensity determining section 41, a damage state determining section 49, and a damage state representing section 51. The damage value determining section 35 changes the parameter value depending on the determination result by the radio intensity determining section 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8167693
    Abstract: A target information storage unit (203) stores information regarding a group of targets (target panels) which are disposed dispersedly on a virtual race course and which each have an objective speed set therefor. An operation input reception unit (201) receives an operation input for a moving object (racing car) to be run on the course. Then, a running condition managing unit (204) manages the running condition of the moving object based on this operation input. Meanwhile, a passage determination unit (206a) sequentially determines whether or not the moving object has passed on the course by contacting the respective targets, based on the managed running condition. Further, a speed comparison unit (206b) compares the speed of the moving object at the time of the passage and the objective speed of each target. Then, an evaluation unit (206) evaluates the operation input from a user based on the determination result and comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujii, Takeshi Okubo
  • Patent number: 8142277
    Abstract: A game system receives special command input information input by the player when a moving object and a target have a predetermined positional relationship, and moves the moving object to a position at which bullets fired from the moving object can hit the target irrespective of movement input information when the game system has received the special command input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Masanori Kato, Masashi Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 8128497
    Abstract: To output sounds generated by multiple objects disposed in a virtual space in as easy a manner as possible while giving live feelings, a storage unit (202) of a game machine (201) stores information on objects of a first type and a second type which move in the virtual space. A basic sound acquiring unit (203) acquires basic sound information corresponding to the total number of the objects. An imitation sound acquiring unit (204) acquires imitation sound information imitating a sound generated by an object of the first type from its position in the virtual space. A mixing output unit (205) mixes and outputs the basic sound information and the imitation sound information. An input receiving unit (206) receives an instruction input from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8123526
    Abstract: A simulated real-time environment employs a plurality of computer controlled video projectors and screens at least fore and aft of a participant-trainee to present life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant's perspective, each screen representing the participant's view looking in a different direction. In response to a participant's actions, the computer seamlessly changes a projected video to match the participant' actions and maintain a scenario consistent between the two screens. The participant uses a light-emitting simulated firearm or his own firearm loaded with a light-emitting cartridge and/or other equipment with which he is familiar, such as a modified or simulated flashlight, taser, chemical spray container or the like, tethered or untethered by a communication wire, to respond to a simulated situation, which response detected and interpreted by the computer to direct a branch in the projected videos and even shoot back a simulated bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: Steven G. Hoover, David McLean, Scott E. Martin, George W. T. Haynes, William J. Halley
  • Patent number: 8109518
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a game in which players launch, shoot, or propel objects at a target, and more specifically, to a game in which players launch, shoot, or propel objects in an attempt to attach the objects to a target that may be in motion, or to dislodge objects that are hanging from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Blagg, Janice E. Ritter, Stephen Pang Kwai Lau, Sammy Wai Nang Lam
  • Patent number: 8072950
    Abstract: A system for providing collaboration among a plurality of devices in a mobile ad hoc network is disclosed. The system consists of a module within each of the devices that is operable to perform login, synchronization, data loss recovery, and conflict avoidance and resolution functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guoxin Fan, Nim K. Leung
  • Patent number: 8072419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer mouse having a front sight button and the method for generating local coordinates with the same, which comprises a position sensor for generating coordinates in accordance with the movement of the mouse, a front sight button for generating a local shooting signal when being pressed, a serial interface device, of which one end is connected to a personal computer for exchanging data between the mouse and the personal computer, and a processing unit. The processing unit is connected to the position sensor, the front sight button and the serial interface device. Upon receiving a local shooting signal, the processing unit generates a specific area having plural perimeter coordinates corresponding to the current coordinate. The processing unit further transmits the current coordinate, the perimeter coordinates and corresponding key-stroke signals sequentially to the personal computer through the serial interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Chun Chu, Yung-Shun Chuang
  • Patent number: 7999694
    Abstract: An electronic sensor module for us in an interactive system, such as an interactive sports training device, for accurately detecting a projectile brought within close proximity of a target. The sensor module includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a housing such that the light sources are visible through a surface of the housing when activated. A plurality of sensors are also arranged in the housing for detecting the presence of a projectile. In one aspect, the sensors are arranged in a polar array about a center of housing with spaces between adjacent sensors, and with a light source positioned in each space between adjacent sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Arthur L. Martin, Mark Simonds, Mark Weber
  • Patent number: 7986917
    Abstract: A method of transferring data from a hand held electronic device to a target electronic device includes establishing a wireless interface between the hand held electronic device and the target electronic device. A transfer motion that includes rotation of the hand held electronic device is detected. Upon detection of the transfer motion, the data is transmitted from the hand held electronic device to the target electronic device over the wireless interface. The wireless interface may be initiated and configured using a localized communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Erik Ahlgren, Linda Meiby
  • Patent number: 7969413
    Abstract: A pointing device includes a controller for pointing a position on a display surface by imaging an imaging objective such as two markers positioned with a predetermined interval therebetween in a vicinity of the display surface of a monitor. With the pointing device, a width of the display surface and the interval between the markers are obtained to determine an appropriate distance between the controller and the monitor. Further, a current distance between the controller and the monitor (markers) is calculated. Relation between the current distance and the appropriate distance is notified by such as image display or sound output. For example, an image indicating the appropriate distance and an adjustment image varying in size in conjunction with the current distance are displayed on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Aonuma, Kenji Matsutani
  • Patent number: 7846028
    Abstract: Interactive methods and apparatus for infrared (IR) shooting games between participants are disclosed. The infrared transmitting and receiving toy has an interface display, switches, and an IR device for transmitting and receiving first or second data between participants, including tag or hit information and special attack information in response to user actuation of one or more inputs. The information processor generates a hit or tag tally upon receiving first data from IR receiver, and generates an activity upon receiving second data including a video-game or puzzle style activity on the interface display. In a further embodiment, the information processor is capable of storing gameplay experience, and the information processor may alter gameplay capabilities based on the accumulated gameplay experience of many games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Shoot the Moon Products II, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Small, Brian D. Farley, Wayne R. Park
  • Patent number: 7837543
    Abstract: Adaptive agents are driven by rewards they receive based on the outcome of their behavior during actual game play. Accordingly, the adaptive agents are able to learn from experience within the gaming environment. Reward-driven adaptive agents can be trained at either or both of game-time or development time. Computer-controlled agents receive rewards (either positive or negative) at individual action intervals based on the effectiveness of the agents' actions (e.g., compliance with defined goals). The adaptive computer-controlled agent is motivated to perform actions that maximize its positive rewards and minimize is negative rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Hartwig Graepel, Ralf Herbrich, Julian Gold
  • Patent number: 7833097
    Abstract: A game pad controller for connection to a portable phone has an outer casing and a game control unit within the casing. The front of the casing has a seat for locating the portable phone and at least one keypad adjacent the seat for user engagement to control a game. The seat has a channel for slidably receiving an adapter, which is either attached to the rear face of the phone or to a holder for the phone. A releasable latching mechanism at the inner end of the channel releasably secures the adapter in the channel. The adapter may be a dimpled hub device. The arrangement allows the game pad controller to be used with any type of portable phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Maddox, Mark J. Hassebrock, Philip Hobson Boothby, Michael D. Johnson, Robert James Stone, Craig Ronald Townsend
  • Patent number: 7798907
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and system for a target game used in conjunction with a toilet or urinal, wherein a target body is positioned within the toilet basin. The target game comprises a target body and coupling members, wherein the target body is divided into sections. The coupling members secure the target body to the toilet basin and include a securing member and an attachment member, wherein the securing member is any device that is capable of attaching to the toilet and wherein the attachment member couples the securing member to the target body. Other embodiments of the apparatus and system include image projection systems to create the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory A. Piccionelli, Gary Friedman