In A Game Requiring Strategy Or Problem Solving By A Participant (e.g., Problem Eliciting Response, Puzzle, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/9)
  • Patent number: 10653956
    Abstract: A computer program product which may cause an information processing apparatus to execute steps of associating one group with each of a plurality of game media, arranging a plurality of game media on a field, starting a battle, arranging a first object associated with a plurality of parameters on the field according to a progress situation of the battle, executing a first change process of changing a parameter of the first object according to a control process of the game medium, stopping the executing of the first change process of the parameter if the parameter of the first object reaches the predetermined value, increasing points of the group corresponding to the parameter that has reached the predetermined value, and determining a result of the battle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventors: Minenori Shigeoka, Yuta Tanaka, Yasuhiro Hayashida
  • Patent number: 10610784
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to implement a game in which a first area of a virtual space that includes a maze-shaped path delimited by given virtual walls is allocated to a first player character that moves under the control of a first player, a second area of the virtual space is allocated to a second player character that moves under the control of a second player, and the first player character and the second player character compete for game progress in the respective areas allocated thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Tadashi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10596465
    Abstract: A computer device has a display which displays game elements in a game board. In a move, one or more game elements is removed from the game board and the game board is displayed on the display to be refilled. The computer device is configured to cause images showing at least the removal of the game elements and the refilling of the game board to be displayed on the display at a rate which increases over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Par Kamfjord
  • Patent number: 10569175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and utilizing multimedia-based analytics to generate predictions about game-play in computer-based games and contests. In an embodiment, a video feed analyzes one or more video feeds frame by frame to determine one or more features within each video frame. Each feature may be collected in a central data collector and converted to one or more metrics about each collected parameter or feature. These metrics may be used to analyze and predict various aspects of the underlying game or contest, such as probability of winning by one side or the other. Further, the predictive data and analytical data may be displayed on a display separate from actual gameplay or may be overlaid upon the game play video feed. In this manner, the overlay video may be synchronized with the original video feed to present predictive data in conjunction with the video data used to influence the predictive data at the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Taunt Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T Kosai, Ansel C. S. Santosa, Sean M. Robinson, John B Crenshaw
  • Patent number: 10537793
    Abstract: A server device including: a communication interface configured to receive positional information with respect to a plurality of users including first and second users located in a real world, one of the plurality of users operating the terminal device; a memory configured to store a plurality of items and parameter values in association with user identification information of each user, the memory being configured to store computer-readable instructions, the plurality of items including first and second items, the user identification information including first and second user identification information for the first and second users; and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions so as to assign the first item to the second user identification information of the second user switched from the first user and vary the parameter value of the first item based on the positional information of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuki Morishita
  • Patent number: 10536806
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for dynamic generation of an intelligent and location-based puzzle. The method comprises locating a mobile device within a proximity zone associated with an establishment and generating a user dataset comprising a counter representing how many times the user has been identified within the proximity zone. The method further comprises querying, receiving, and displaying a first media element associated with a puzzle. Upon locating the mobile device within the proximity zone for the second time, the method comprises adjusting the counter value and querying, receiving, and displaying a second media element associated with the puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
    Inventor: Michal Knas
  • Patent number: 10532282
    Abstract: A server apparatus for providing a game using game media to a user over a network may include a storage unit, an identifier obtaining unit, and a game content output unit. The storage unit may store identifiers and game media in association with each other. The identifier obtaining unit may obtain, from a terminal apparatus, an identifier selected through a user operation. The game content output unit may obtain a game content associated with the identifier obtained by the identifier obtaining unit and may output the game content to the terminal apparatus. The game content may not be identifiable using the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Seokhoon Choi
  • Patent number: 10512848
    Abstract: A system for providing a computer implemented game with a plurality of game elements which in use are displayed on display. The system comprises: a game engine; and for each game element a game element actor and game element data, said game element data comprising information about said respective game element and said game element actor being configured to perform a view function for the respective game element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Gabriel Constantin Cirlig
  • Patent number: 10478723
    Abstract: Track based play systems are described which comprise a set of physical play pieces and an associated computer game. In an embodiment, a user may arrange some or all of the play pieces in the set to form a path. The computer game is arranged to infer a virtual model of the path defined by the user-created arrangement of the play pieces. The inference may be based on data communicated by one or more the play pieces to the game or based on data from a local sensing device such as a camera which views the relative positions of the play pieces. Having inferred the path, the game constrains a virtual or physical object to the path within the game play and renders a graphical user interface showing at least a portion of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James William Scott, Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, Alexandra Keeley Bunting
  • Patent number: 10456660
    Abstract: A board game comprises one or more game objects such as a game board and game pieces, at least one memory device and at least one controller. Each of the game objects comprise a globally unique identifier and dynamic characteristic values associated with the unique identifier, stored in the memory device, that define the characteristics/attributes of the corresponding game object when used in the game. A user is able to play the game by utilizing the game objects according to their characteristic values. During the course of game play, the events of the game are able to dynamically change the characteristic values of each game object affected by the event. Similarly, outside of game play, external events are also able to dynamically change the characteristic values of a game object. These characteristic values are able to be kept and updated during and in between games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tweedletech, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Martin Maharbiz, Steve Jaqua, Theodore Morichau-Beauchant
  • Patent number: 10455282
    Abstract: In some embodiments a content delivery system for controlling media content provided by at least one media device for media consumption by at least one consumer is described. In an embodiment the system comprises at least one sensor for sensing body data of the at least one consumer, a receiver for receiving sensed body data from the sensor, a data store storing media content for selection, at least one media device for outputting said selected content to said at least one consumer, and at least one processor configured to query said data store and control the selection of said media content based at least in part on the sensed body data, and control the output of said selected media content to said at least one media device. The sensed body data may indicate the mood or emotional state of the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: PIKSEL, INC
    Inventor: Mark Christie
  • Patent number: 10449452
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable recording medium stores game program code instructions for a game in which users do battle, and the game program code instructions cause a computer to perform a data storage function of storing a first panel data that includes a plurality of panels associated with the first user to a storage unit; a control function of receiving information regarding a selection by the first user, the selection being for one or more panels indicating characters to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions; the data storage function further stores the panel associated with information of motion to the storage unit, and the control function transmits information for displaying the panel as a moving character according to the information of motion associated with the panel when the panel is disposed in a target division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Patent number: 10434406
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus selectably displays a plurality of panels within a predetermined area on a display screen with a predetermined array (for example, Step S101); receives, from a user, a selecting operation against any of the plurality of displayed panels (for example, Step S201); specifies continuously selectable panels in accordance with the panel for which the selecting operation is received from the user (for example, Step S202); and changes a display mode of each of the specified panels so as to become the display mode other than a display mode of each of the other panels (for example, Step S204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Katou, Shingo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10343074
    Abstract: Fantasy sports systems and methods comprising receiving a fantasy lineup roster including a plurality of players, each player assigned to a playing position and one or more of the plurality of players further assigned to one or more alternative positions, assigning scores to each of the plurality of players based on statistics derived from one or more real life competitions, receiving a notification of at least one substitution event, each substitution event associated with one of the players and also associated with a substitution segment within the one or more real life competitions, and calculating a fantasy lineup score by aggregating the assigned scores of each of the players assigned to a playing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: David A. Thormann
  • Patent number: 10335681
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of controlling a user interface of a computer device which is responsive to user engagement with displayed player objects on the interface. The method comprises steps implemented by computer executable code (executed by one or more hardware processors on the computer device) and encompassing, but not limited to, displaying a game area with a number of game objects in a static player graph as well as providing a player object which can be selected to target and shoot game objects in response to player behavior or to contribute directly to a game objective. A boost action is triggered when game objective is fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Ignacio Pintos Magdalena
  • Patent number: 10328346
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable recording medium stores game program code instructions for a game in which a first user and a second user do battle, and when the game program code instructions are executed by a computer, the game program code instructions cause the computer to perform a data storage function of storing a first panel data that includes a plurality of panels associated with the first user to a storage unit; a control function of receiving information regarding a selection by the first user, the selection being for one or more panels indicating characters to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions; the data storage function further stores the panel associated with information of motion to the storage unit, and the control function transmits information for displaying the panel as a moving character according to the information of motion associated with the panel when the panel is disposed in a target division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Patent number: 10313834
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for dynamic generation of an intelligent and location-based puzzle. The method comprises locating a mobile device within a proximity zone associated with an establishment and generating a user dataset comprising a counter representing how many times the user has been identified within the proximity zone. The method further comprises querying, receiving, and displaying a first media element associated with a puzzle. Upon locating the mobile device within the proximity zone for the second time, the method comprises adjusting the counter value and querying, receiving, and displaying a second media element associated with the puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
    Inventor: Michal Knas
  • Patent number: 10265617
    Abstract: A life and death judgment system for a go game played with a computer comprising an input reception unit that receives an input by a player, a life and death judgment processing unit that judges whether judgment subject stones or target stones are alive, and an output processing unit that outputs the result of the life and death judgment is provided. The life and death judgment processing unit tentatively determines the priority of a move at each point when implementing the judgment in a judgment realm, judges a point of a move with a high possibility and/or a move with a low possibility of a result of the judgment, changes the priority of the point of the move with a high possibility with respect to each priority of the tentatively determined point, and undertakes the move of each stone based on the priority after such change, thereby implement the judgment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: PANDANET INC.
    Inventors: Hiroko Taki, Tomoya Saeki, Hiroshi Oomoto
  • Patent number: 10265612
    Abstract: A computer device has user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements, wherein the manner of providing each replacement game element has a graphical representation governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Magnus Hansson, Niclas Alftberg, Tobias Nyblom, Rikard Jaksch
  • Patent number: 10255754
    Abstract: A method for interactive image sharing includes receiving, by an image sharing application executing on a first computing device, from a second computing device, a plurality of puzzle piece images and an image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images. The method includes generating, by a puzzle generator executing on the first computing device, a puzzle assembly interface. The method includes confirming, by the puzzle generator, assembly of the plurality of puzzle piece images by a user of the first computing device. The method includes displaying, by the puzzle generator, the image associated with the plurality of puzzle piece images upon confirmation of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Puzzup LLC
    Inventor: Cayley Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 10207186
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a computer implemented method of providing a game, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor and at least one memory of a device retrieving from at least one memory information associated with a plurality of first objects and one or more characteristics of said first objects and causing said objects with said one or more characteristics to be displayed on a display in an arrangement, executing at least one algorithm which: responsive to detected user input rearranges said first objects to provide a sequence of at least three adjacent first objects sharing at least one same characteristic, determines an upgrade level of each of said at least three adjacent first objects, and in response to said determination selecting one of said at least three adjacent first objects for upgrading, and causes an updated arrangement to be displayed with said selected one of the said at least three adjacent first objects being upgraded and having said same charac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Constantin-Gabriel Cirlig, Teodor Catalin Gospodin, Catalin-Stefan Saitan
  • Patent number: 10176164
    Abstract: A method comprising receiving an item via a computer input device, comparing the item to a plurality of lexicons using a processor, and determining, using the processor and based upon the comparison, that the item is part of a fragment matching at least one of the plurality of lexicons. The method also comprises storing, using the processor, the fragment in a section of a document determined based on the at least one of the plurality of lexicons, and receiving at least one other item via the computer input device after the fragment is stored in the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfredo Alba, Anni R. Coden, Clemens Drews, Daniel F. Gruhl, Neal R. Lewis, Pablo N. Mendes, Cartic Ramakrishnan, Joseph F. Terdiman
  • Patent number: 10169955
    Abstract: A gambling hybrid game that provides game world engine driven triggering of gambling events is disclosed. The gambling hybrid game includes an entertainment system engine that provides an entertainment game to a user, a real world engine that provides gambling games to users, and a game world engine that monitors the entertainment game and provides gambling games when appropriate. The entertainment system engine provides an entertainment games that provides values for a set of entertainment game variables. The game world engine receive the values of set of entertainment game variables and determined whether a gambling event in a gambling game is triggered based upon the values one or more entertainment game variables in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire
  • Patent number: 10121314
    Abstract: A gambling hybrid game including an entertainment system engine that provides an entertainment game, a real world engine that provides gambling games, and a game world engine that monitors the entertainment game and provides gambling games when appropriate. The entertainment system engine provides an entertainment games that provides values for a set of entertainment game variables. The game world engine uses the results of a gambling event to determine a change to the set of entertainment game variables and provides the change to the entertainment system engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10105603
    Abstract: A system for automated tuning of a computer-implemented game is configured to enable definition of a performance metric indicative of player performance in a computer-implemented game that has tunable gameplay parameters. A performance target is defined that represents target values for the performance metric during progress in the game. The system executes a gameplay simulation using an automated player, and performs an iterative tuning operation based on results of the simulation. The tuning operation automatically determines a suggested value set for the tunable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Bucher, Alexandros Ntoulas, Xinxian Huang, Brett Bauleke, Moises Goldszmidt, Samer Ead
  • Patent number: 10052558
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and/or a system of an electronic puzzle game comprising a set of extendable lines combinable to form a puzzle image is disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic puzzle game includes a set of instructions, which when operated through a processor communicatively coupled with a memory operate in a manner to: generate a set of positions, wherein when at least some of the set of positions are combined together along a predetermined pathway, the combined ones of the set of positions form a puzzle image, generate a plurality of lines that are maneuverable onto each of the set of positions through a control interface, and extend the plurality of lines responsive to an action of a user along the set of positions, and when the plurality of lines are extended across the predetermined pathway by the user, the extended lines combine together to render the puzzle image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: STIGOL LLC
    Inventors: Stepan Ilchyshyn, Oleh Vasylevych, Ihor Ostapenko
  • Patent number: 10026268
    Abstract: A poker-like guessing game uses an electronic device with a display and an audio generator to display a picture or play music for a predetermined period of time. The electronic device may be a smartphone, tablet computer or other portable electronic device. Participants bet that the players will—or will not—be able to identify the picture displayed or the music generated by the electronic device. The participants are rewarded when they bet correctly. Even if a player is able to identify the picture or sound, an object of the game is to fool or mislead the others (i.e., “bluff”) with a poker face or other evasive tactic. A picture is displayed, or the music is played, for a short period of time, preferably in the range of a few or several seconds. Participants may select favored categories which the electronic device may or may not allow them to use in play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Gonyea
  • Patent number: 10013094
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for operating a mobile device including a touch screen, a memory, and a vibratory feedback mechanism coupled to at least one processor. A plurality of applications including an application is stored, utilizing the memory. Indicia is displayed, utilizing the touchscreen. A first pressure signal indicative of a first magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen is identified in connection with the indicia. In response to the first pressure signal indicative of the first magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen, a first state is identified, utilizing the at least one processor. In response to the identification of the first state, an operation is performed, utilizing the at least one processor. A second pressure signal is identified indicative of a second magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen that is greater than the first magnitude, in connection with the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: P4TENTS1, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S Smith
  • Patent number: 10013095
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for operating a mobile device including a touch screen, a memory, and a vibratory feedback mechanism coupled to at least one processor. A plurality of applications including an application is stored, utilizing the memory. Indicia is displayed, utilizing the touchscreen. A first pressure signal indicative of a first magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen is identified in connection with the indicia. In response to the first pressure signal indicative of the first magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen, a first state is identified, utilizing the at least one processor. In response to the identification of the first state, an operation is performed, utilizing the at least one processor. A second pressure signal is identified indicative of a second magnitude of pressure being applied to the touch screen that is greater than the first magnitude, in connection with the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: P4TENTS1, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S Smith
  • Patent number: 10004982
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are directed toward alterable tokens. The alterable token may include a base including an RFID pattern. The base may include an electrical contact electrically coupled to the RFID pattern. The alterable token may include a rotatable body mounted to the base. The body may include first and second RFID tags. The body may include a first electrical contact coupled to the first RFID tag and a second electrical contact coupled to the second RFID tag. The body may be rotatable to a first and a second position. The RFID pattern may be electrically coupled to the first RFID tag when the first electrical contact contacts the electrical contact of the base in the first position. The RFID pattern may be electrically coupled to the second RFID tag when the second electrical contact contacts the electrical contact of the base in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Tom Roberts, Steven Lavache
  • Patent number: 9990177
    Abstract: A computing device is described that outputs, for display, an initial speech recognition graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one element. The computing device receives audio data and determines, based on the audio data, a voice-initiated action. Responsive to determining the voice-initiated action, the computing device outputs, for display, an updated speech recognition GUI having an animation of a change in a position of the at least one element to indicate that the voice-initiated action has been determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Faaborg, Gustavo Sonoda, Joshua Robin Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9956476
    Abstract: A communication terminal receives information such as game information of a quiz including a predetermined question and an answer, a sender, goods or service, and a store offering the goods or the service from a communication terminal with a network communication unit. A CPU of the communication terminal judges whether an answer input from an input unit such as a touch panel or a microphone is correct. The communication terminal receives a location for receiving the goods or the service when playing the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fuminobu Kaku
  • Patent number: 9937418
    Abstract: A computer device is described, comprising a computer storage holding a plurality of identifiers, each associated with an address; an interface connected to receive from a first computer device, game data including a completed first board of a game; and a processor configured to receive the game data to access an address associated with a player identifier and to formulate a message for transmission to a second computer device identified by the address, the message including some or all of the game data, whereby a player at the second computer device receives the message prior to accepting an invitation to play the game. Methods for providing feedback and tile selection are also disclosed in the context of a word matching game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Christian Murray, Ragnar Svensson, Sebastian Knutsson
  • Patent number: 9916730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate a card game or secondary card game played on a gaming device. The card game may be structured to use similar rules to a blackjack-styled card game. The card game may be played against an opponent, such as a computer, dealer, or another player. Alternatively, the card game may include the display of one or more cards and a process to determine if a total value of the cards meets a predefined criterion. A win against an opponent or satisfaction of the predefined criterion may progress the card game to another round of play. These rounds of play may continue until an opponent wins, or until the predefined criterion is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 9901834
    Abstract: A computer device has a touch screen which displays game elements. A user is able to move game elements to make a match. When a match is made, the game elements of the match are removed. Each game element is associated with a tile. Each tile either has a cover object or no cover object. Underlying entities are provided which occupy at least two tiles. The device has a processor which is configured to determine on detecting the match game condition if at least one tile of the game elements in the match game condition has a cover object and if so to remove the cover object and subsequently to determine if the underlying entities are only associated with tiles having cover tiles. If not, the underlying entity is repositioned if partially uncovered or removed if completely uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Eddie Alexander Willman, Yan Dou, Karl David Darabian
  • Patent number: 9889372
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory computer readable storage media for providing an electronic lottery scratchcard game. In particular, disclosed are electronic Hidden Object Puzzle games that combines the existing lottery mechanic of scratchcard games with the existing social genre of Hidden Object games. In a traditional scratchcard puzzle, a series of covered squares are scratched by the player to reveal symbols such as letters of the alphabet. In a Hidden Object game, a graphical user interface contains hidden objects that reveal symbols such as letters of the alphabet when selected by the user. Specific combinations of symbols such as words award monetary prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Sirois, Christopher Macleod
  • Patent number: 9881446
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a gambling hybrid game having an omniscience mode are disclosed. The systems and method involve receiving an input from a player accepting an omniscience gambling proposition. The results of a gambling event associated with the omniscience gambling proposition are then determined and wagers are resolved. The results of the gambling event are then used to determine target information to provide a player to satisfy the omniscience gambling proposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 9849381
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes the step of providing an online fantasy sports league. A user interacts with the online fantasy sports league via an application in a computing device. A list of automatic substitution designations is received from the user via the application with respect to a user's starting roster. A step includes determining that a player is ineligible to play in a game. It is determined that the player is on a user's starting roster or in a user's waiver wire. A step includes automatically select a substitute player for an ineligible starting player according a list of automatic substitution designations. The list of automatic substitution designations is stored in a memory of the computing device or an online fantasy sports league server. The user's team roster is automatically updated to include the substitute player in lieu of the ineligible starting player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Duane Clinton Hood
  • Patent number: 9844726
    Abstract: A system for allowing intervention in a video game. The system is adapted to: receive a plurality of event data structures from on-line video games at certain pre-determined points during real time play, each event data structure including an event identification indicative of a pre-defined event, and a user identification uniquely associated with the user; analyze the event data structures to determine event based user information associated with each user; for each user, store the event based user information in a user database; receive requests from video games, each request being associated with a specific point in a specific game and a specific user; analyze information in the user database for each user from which each request originated to determine whether a response should be sent, if a response is needed, determine the response to be sent, and send the determined response to the specific game and specific user that requested it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: deltaDNA Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Wright, Geoff Ballinger, Laurie McCulloch, James Prior
  • Patent number: 9770659
    Abstract: A game in which a first user and a second user do battle includes storing a first panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the first user possesses, and a second panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the second user possesses; selecting one or more panels to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions, from the first panel database and the second panel database; disposing the panels selected by the panel section function in the divisions; and displaying the game display screen on a screen display unit, wherein the data storage function further stores points set for the first user, which are decreased by disposing a panel, and the panel selection function selects a panel from the first panel database according to the points set for the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Patent number: 9757655
    Abstract: According to the game control device, game control method, game control program, storage medium and game system of this invention, when composite processing on characters is performed, consumption points that are consumed in the composite processing are subtracted from the composition points corresponding to the user's user identifying information, and when the subtraction result is negative, predetermined point addition processing is performed until the subtraction result becomes zero or more. By performing the point addition processing as described above, the game control device, game control method, game control program, storage medium and game system can improve the user's operability without requiring the reselection of other characters to be composited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Suzuki, Hiroyuki Tomita, Minako Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9687729
    Abstract: A computer device has user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements, wherein the manner of providing each replacement game element has a graphical representation governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Magnus Hansson, Niclas Alftberg, Tobias Nyblom, Rikard Jaksch
  • Patent number: 9646452
    Abstract: A computerized method includes presenting a community game on a display device of a wagering game system that comprises a wagering game machine associated with a handheld device for use in conducting the community game, wherein the presenting of the community game comprises presenting movements of a game element in response to movements of the handheld device. The computerized method includes, at periodic time intervals during the community game, storing, in a memory device, data indicating a current position of the handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jacqueline F. Parra, Jesse M. Smith, Craig J. Sylla, Brian L. Yarger
  • Patent number: 9636583
    Abstract: A game in which a first user and a second user do battle includes storing a first panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the first user possesses, and a second panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the second user possesses; selecting one or more panels to be disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen including a display region formed by the divisions, from the first panel database and the second panel database; disposing the panels selected by the panel section function in the divisions; and displaying the game display screen on a screen display unit, wherein the data storage function further stores points set for the first user, which are decreased by disposing a panel, and the panel selection function selects a panel from the first panel database according to the points set for the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe
  • Patent number: 9630111
    Abstract: Game players are connected to each other through comparisons of information associated with events in which the game players and their friends have competed. Competition information such as game play results, leader board positions, game attributes, and entitlements may be used to compare players and players' friends to each other, and the comparison information is used to recommend additional events to the players in such a way as to enhance social networking and asynchronous game play among the game players and their friends in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Webster, Paul Ross, Steve Cuss
  • Patent number: 9604132
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to flexible platform architecture for either providing or facilitating video gaming applications. In some implementations, the flexible platform architecture provides a fluid and continuous visual experience for players across different platform types (platform agnostic) that are integrated and engage users at different levels. Each of the players experiences a unique and different visual experience, depending upon the particular gaming platform and/or user interface utilized by a player. The flexible platform architecture has user interfaces that are configured to provide different experiences for different players, including for example, a three-dimensional or a two-dimensional user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CP Studios LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Wiklem, Carrie Ann Cowan
  • Patent number: 9586145
    Abstract: Virtual competitive group management systems and methods are provided herein. Exemplary systems may execute methods via one or more processors, which are programmed to compare one or more skill levels of a player to skill levels of a plurality competitors, wherein a skill level is associated with player competitiveness within the interactive game, determine at least one of the plurality of competitors who have at least one skill level that is greater than the skill level of the player, and place the player and the at least one of the plurality of competitors into a competitive group such that the player is at a competitive disadvantage to at least one of the plurality of competitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hothead Games Inc.
    Inventor: Joel DeYoung
  • Patent number: 9561427
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a user interface displaying a game board, comprising, via at least one processor, displaying a game board arrangement having a plurality of game objects each having one or more characteristics, information on said game board arrangement and the game objects being stored in memory, determining an initial selection of a first game object based on user input and the stored information, determining a subsequent input selection of a second game object based on user input and the stored information determining the validity of the subsequent selection as being valid defined by said first and second game objects based on a first direction of the sequence with respect to the game board arrangement, the length of the sequence and if the first and second game object have at least one same characteristic, updating said game board arrangement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Frostberg, Patrick Kelly
  • Patent number: 9533230
    Abstract: Ghost expressions with user-provided information may be provided in asynchronous gameplay. According to some implementations, ghost data associated with a first performance by a first user of a first task in a game may be obtained. The ghost data may be configured to allow generation of a ghost expression in the game corresponding to the first performance of the first task in the game by the first user. User-provided information associated with the first performance of the first task in the game may be obtained. The ghost data may be augmented with the user-provided information to obtain augmented ghost data. The augmented ghost data may be provided to effectuate presentation in the game of the ghost expression and at least some of the user-provided information via a client computing platform associated with the first user or a second user of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Paquet, Amy Kalson, Mark Stuart
  • Patent number: 9519423
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that includes a touch panel unit that detects a touch input; an application control unit that sets one of a plurality of application programs to an active state as an active-state application program; a profile information acquiring unit that acquires profile information corresponding to the active-state application program; and a parameter updating unit that sets a detection parameter of the touch panel unit based on the profile information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Tokutake