Patents Assigned to Game Freak Inc.
  • Patent number: 10497151
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game apparatus includes a display device, and a card display screen including an image of a card object is displayed on the display device. The image of the card object is constituted by a character image arranged in the front most and a composite image that is arranged at a back thereof, and with the composite image is obtained by combining a color change image, a background image and a pattern image. The color change image includes a plurality of polygons, and a color of each of vertices is set so as to cyclically change according to an attitude of the game apparatus and respective vertices positions of the plurality of polygons. The color change image and the background image are combined with each other, so that brightness of the background image cyclically changes according to the color of the color change image that cyclically changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventor: Koji Kawada
  • Patent number: 10155161
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Katsumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 9999832
    Abstract: A first game execution unit executes a first game. A second game execution unit executes a second game. The second game execution unit sets particular first game data or a first game mode which is accessible in the first game so as to be inaccessible in the second game when an execution result of the first game does not satisfy a predetermined condition, and sets the particular first game data or the first game mode so as to be accessible also in the second game in response to the execution result of the first game having satisfied the predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ohmori, Toru Nagihashi
  • Patent number: 9956477
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. The list screen displays at least an icon of a player of another game apparatus capable of performing a communication with the information processing apparatus. In addition, icons of a player who is registered in the game apparatus as a friend and a player who is determined as an acquaintance are also displayed whether a communication can be performed. By performing a communication with using the game apparatus with a passer-by player with whom no communication has been performed, for example, the player is automatically determined as an acquaintance player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventor: Junichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9687732
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. In the list screen, at least an icon of a player of another game apparatus capable of performing a communication is displayed. That is, during a time that game processing of the single-play is being performed, the game screen is displayed and a list of one or more players capable of playing a battle-play is displayed. The player sends an offer of a battle-play to a desired player through an operation using the list screen at an arbitrary timing during a time that the game processing of the single-play is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventor: Junichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9687731
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. In the list screen, an icon of a player of another game apparatus that is searched as a passer-by is displayed as well as icons of a player of another game apparatus that is registered as a friend and a player of another game apparatus that is determined as an acquaintance. That is, during a time that game processing of the single-play is being performed, the game screen is displayed and a list of a player who is registered and a player who exists in the neighborhood is displayed. The player sends an offer of a battle-play to a desired player through an operation using the list screen at an arbitrary timing during a time that the game processing of the single-play is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventor: Junichi Masuda
  • Publication number: 20140364211
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. The list screen displays at least an icon of a player of another game apparatus capable of performing a communication with the information processing apparatus. In addition, icons of a player who is registered in the game apparatus as a friend and a player who is determined as an acquaintance are also displayed whether a communication can be performed. By performing a communication with using the game apparatus with a passer-by player with whom no communication has been performed, for example, the player is automatically determined as an acquaintance player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicants: GAME FREAK INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junichi MASUDA
  • Patent number: 8832278
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak, Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Katsumi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20140187325
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. In the list screen, at least an icon of a player of another game apparatus capable of performing a communication is displayed. That is, during a time that game processing of the single-play is being performed, the game screen is displayed and a list of one or more players capable of playing a battle-play is displayed. The player sends an offer of a battle-play to a desired player through an operation using the list screen at an arbitrary timing during a time that the game processing of the single-play is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: GAME FREAK INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junichi MASUDA
  • Publication number: 20140187324
    Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. In the list screen, an icon of a player of another game apparatus that is searched as a passer-by is displayed as well as icons of a player of another game apparatus that is registered as a friend and a player of another game apparatus that is determined as an acquaintance. That is, during a time that game processing of the single-play is being performed, the game screen is displayed and a list of a player who is registered and a player who exists in the neighborhood is displayed. The player sends an offer of a battle-play to a desired player through an operation using the list screen at an arbitrary timing during a time that the game processing of the single-play is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: GAME FREAK INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junichi MASUDA
  • Patent number: 8708829
    Abstract: Each game apparatus participating in a network system has a wireless communication module for performing a one-to-many wireless communication with reference to identifying information and a local communication module for performing a one-to-one infrared communication without referring to it. In a case that the one-to-many wireless communication is performed, pairing processing is executed in a tournament method such that a master and a slave are first decided between its own game apparatus and any one of the game apparatuses over the local communication module, and identifying information stored on the slave side is collected into the master side. In a case that its own game apparatus becomes the only master game apparatus as a result of a series of pairing processing, it transmits a signal including identifying information of all the game apparatuses over the wireless communication module whereas in a case that its own game apparatus becomes the slave apparatus, it receives the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Nintendo, Co., Ltd., Game Freak Inc
    Inventors: Hiroki Sotoike, Mikihiro Ishikawa, Katsumi Ohno, Yoshinori Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130281200
    Abstract: A first game execution unit executes a first game. A second game execution unit executes a second game. The second game execution unit sets particular first game data or a first game mode which is accessible in the first game so as to be inaccessible in the second game when an execution result of the first game does not satisfy a predetermined condition, and sets the particular first game data or the first game mode so as to be accessible also in the second game in response to the execution result of the first game having satisfied the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicants: GAME FREAK, INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru OHMORI, Toru NAGIHASHI
  • Patent number: 8460112
    Abstract: A game apparatus constantly broadcasts beacons at predetermined intervals by means of a local communication module during game processing being executed. The beacons include various pieces of information such as information relating to the player, information indicating a game status, and messages. The game apparatus receives beacons from one or more other game apparatuses present in an area near the game apparatus, and displays profiles of the players of the other game apparatuses, the game statuses of the other game apparatuses, or the like, based on the various pieces of information included in the beacons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak, Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Masuda, Katsumi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20120011256
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicants: GAME FREAK INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi MASUDA, Katsumi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20120010000
    Abstract: A game apparatus constantly broadcasts beacons at predetermined intervals by means of a local communication module during game processing being executed. The beacons include various pieces of information such as information relating to the player, information indicating a game status, and messages. The game apparatus receives beacons from one or more other game apparatuses present in an area near the game apparatus, and displays profiles of the players of the other game apparatuses, the game statuses of the other game apparatuses, or the like, based on the various pieces of information included in the beacons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicants: GAME FREAK INC., NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi MASUDA, Katsumi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20110143840
    Abstract: Each game apparatus participating in a network system has a wireless communication module for performing a one-to-many wireless communication with reference to identifying information and a local communication module for performing a one-to-one infrared communication without referring to it. In a case that the one-to-many wireless communication is performed, pairing processing is executed in a tournament method such that a master and a slave are first decided between its own game apparatus and any one of the game apparatuses over the local communication module, and identifying information stored on the slave side is collected into the master side. In a case that its own game apparatus becomes the only master game apparatus as a result of a series of pairing processing, it transmits a signal including identifying information of all the game apparatuses over the wireless communication module whereas in a case that its own game apparatus becomes the slave apparatus, it receives the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki SOTOIKE, Mikihiro Ishikawa, Katsumi Ohno, Yoshinori Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20100256949
    Abstract: An information processing system including a device capable of transmitting sensing information in accordance with a result of sensing of motion and receiving data for performing various types of processing in accordance with the sensing information is provided. In a character selection screen, in addition to a “course 1” and a “course 2”, additionally obtained “course 3” and “course 4” are displayed in a selectable manner. Namely, the number of steps or the like sensed as a user walks while wearing a pedometer in advance is returned from the pedometer to a game device, so that a new course in addition to a course determined depending on a stage in a get and growth game in the game device can be selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ohmori, Shigeki Morimoto, Mikihiro Ishikawa, Hiroki Sotoike
  • Publication number: 20100256950
    Abstract: An information processing system including a device capable of sensing motion and providing various outputs, such as a pedometer, is provided. In addition, a storage medium storing a program directed to the device included in such an information processing system and an information processing device included in the system are provided. A CPU of the pedometer causes an LCD and/or a buzzer to produce prescribed image output and/or audio output in accordance with a result of sensing by a motion sensor, based on image data and/or audio data received from a game device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK INC.
    Inventors: Shigeki Morimoto, Shigeru Ohmori, Mikihiro Ishikawa, Hiroki Sotoike
  • Patent number: 7724267
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a pointing device for designating a position of an arbitrary point with respect to a reference point O, and a processor of the information processing apparatus detects a position of the point designated by the pointing device with respect to the reference point O at every unit of time, and calculates an operation vector AB respectively regarding a point A and a point B detected before and after as a starting point and an ending point. The calculated operation vector AB is orthogonally-projected onto a strait line vertical to a vector OA respectively regarding the reference point O and the point A as a starting point and an ending point. Information processing is performed on the basis of a component vector thus obtained from the operation vector AB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshihara, Tetsuya Watanabe, Tomoya Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080122863
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a pointing device for designating a position of an arbitrary point with respect to a reference point O, and a processor of the information processing apparatus detects a position of the point designated by the pointing device with respect to the reference point O at every unit of time, and calculates an operation vector AB respectively regarding a point A and a point B detected before and after as a starting point and an ending point. The calculated operation vector AB is orthogonally-projected onto a strait line vertical to a vector OA respectively regarding the reference point O and the point A as a starting point and an ending point. Information processing is performed on the basis of a component vector thus obtained from the operation vector AB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicants: NINTENDO CO., LTD., GAME FREAK, inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshihara, Tetsuya Watanabe, Tomoya Takahashi