Patents Assigned to Harmonix Music System, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11813531
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20230146585
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to techniques of coordinating sensory event timelines of multiple devices. The devices may use the sensory even timelines to output sensory events such as audio segments. The devices may take turns determining the sensory events to be output by the devices using their sensory event timelines. The techniques coordinate transitions of the devices between a first mode in which a device is allowed to determine sensory events to be output and a second mode in which a device outputs sensory events determined by another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Christopher McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11602691
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for providing an in-game virtual boundary. First data is received that is indicative of a user position while the user is playing a video game. It is determined whether the user position is within a warning zone, wherein the warning zone comprises an area between a soft boundary indicative of a safe area for the user and a safe boundary indicative of one or more real-world objects around the user. Based on a relationship between the user position and the safe boundary, a visual indication of a plurality of visual indications of the in-game virtual boundary is determined to provide to the user. Second data indicative of the visual indication is transmitted to a display being viewed by the user while playing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11594207
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for synthesizing waves (e.g., audio waveforms) at various frequencies. For example, techniques described herein may be used to render musical notes by generating audio waveforms. According to some embodiments, the techniques generate a wave table for an audio waveform based on a set of partial waveforms. The system determines a set of notes with a corresponding entry in the wave table and determines a set of partials for each note. The system renders, for each note, an associated waveform comprising the associated number of partials for the note from the set of partial waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Michael Burrowes
  • Publication number: 20230058656
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11400377
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving user experience in a video game. In some embodiments, the techniques utilize one or more snapshots of the video game over time to adjust a pose of a user's input device in the video game. For example, the user's input device may be a spatially tracked controller which has a tracked pose in the video game. A user input may indicate a button pressed on the spatially tracked controller (e.g., triggering firing of a shot in the video game). In some embodiments, the techniques use the snapshot(s) of the video game that capture instances prior to the user input to adjust a pose of the user input device in the video game to provide an improved user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 11383170
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210283503
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for providing an in-game virtual boundary. First data is received that is indicative of a user position while the user is playing a video game. It is determined whether the user position is within a warning zone, wherein the warning zone comprises an area between a soft boundary indicative of a safe area for the user and a safe boundary indicative of one or more real-world objects around the user. Based on a relationship between the user position and the safe boundary, a visual indication of a plurality of visual indications of the in-game virtual boundary is determined to provide to the user. Second data indicative of the visual indication is transmitted to a display being viewed by the user while playing the video game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210241732
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for adjusting notes of a first musical piece based on chord data of a second musical piece. A first musical piece is accessed, wherein the first musical piece comprises a plurality of notes. Chord data associated with a second musical piece is accessed. One or more of the plurality of notes are compared to the chord data. An aspect of the one or more of the plurality of notes is changed based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Brosius, Ryan William Challinor, Paul Burrowes
  • Patent number: 11058955
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to sharing a video game asset associated with a viewer with a player of a video game broadcast. A video stream of gameplay of a video game is received, wherein the video game is being played by a player using a first computing device. The received video stream is broadcast to a second computing device associated with a viewer. Data is received, from the second computing device, indicative of a request to modify a video game asset associated with a second account of the viewer so that the video game asset is available to the player through a first account of the player. The received data is processed to cause the video game asset to be available to the player through the first account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210060434
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving user experience in a video game. In some embodiments, the techniques utilize one or more snapshots of the video game over time to adjust a pose of a user's input device in the video game. For example, the user's input device may be a spatially tracked controller which has a tracked pose in the video game. A user input may indicate a button pressed on the spatially tracked controller (e.g., triggering firing of a shot in the video game). In some embodiments, the techniques use the snapshot(s) of the video game that capture instances prior to the user input to adjust a pose of the user input device in the video game to provide an improved user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20210043180
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for synthesizing waves (e.g., audio waveforms) at various frequencies. For example, techniques described herein may be used to render musical notes by generating audio waveforms. According to some embodiments, the techniques generate a wave table for an audio waveform based on a set of partial waveforms. The system determines a set of notes with a corresponding entry in the wave table and determines a set of partials for each note. The system renders, for each note, an associated waveform comprising the associated number of partials for the note from the set of partial waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Burrowes, Michael Burrowes
  • Publication number: 20200197816
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to sharing a video game asset associated with a viewer with a player of a video game broadcast. A video stream of gameplay of a video game is received, wherein the video game is being played by a player using a first computing device. The received video stream is broadcast to a second computing device associated with a viewer. Data is received, from the second computing device, indicative of a request to modify a video game asset associated with a second account of the viewer so that the video game asset is available to the player through a first account of the player. The received data is processed to cause the video game asset to be available to the player through the first account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Publication number: 20200197817
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to adapting assets for a video game based on social media interaction. Instructions are sent to a computing device associated with a social media platform to create a social media post comprising at least one piece of multimedia content relating to a video game, the at least one piece of multimedia content produced by a player of the video game. Data is received from the computing device indicative of one or more indications of user interaction with the social media post. A score is determined for the player based at least in part on the received data indicative of the one or more indications of user interaction relating to the social media post. One or more assets of the video game are adapted for the player based at least in part on the determined score for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Seong-chi Chan, Daniel Aaron Sproul, Michael Verrette, Ryan William Challinor
  • Patent number: 10220303
    Abstract: A method including displaying a multi-part visual cue that instructs a player to perform a gesture at a specified time, the multi-part visual cue including a first part indicating the gesture that is to be performed at the specified time, and a second part providing an indication of i) the specified time, and ii) a preparation period before the specified time, wherein the distance between the first and the second parts is variable over time, receiving, from a video camera, position information associated with positions of the player over time, determining a first displacement of the player using the position information, determining whether the first displacement of the player matches a first target displacement criterion associated with the multi-part visual cue, when the first displacement matches the first target displacement criterion within a timing window of the specified time, altering a gameplay characteristic of the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Schmidt, Matthew C. Boch, Jason Deling Booth, Brian Hodges Gibson, James Gerard Toepel, Michael Mandel, Jonathan Mintz, Mark Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9773486
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods and systems for implementing and scoring a vocal improvisation feature in a music video game. This feature can allow players of music video games to sing improvised harmonies for a song using a microphone controller. The improvised harmonies can be musically consonant with a pre-authored melody track programmed into the music video game. The improvised harmonies can comprise pre-authored notes programmed into the pre-authored melody track, or can be generated by the music video game during run-time based on the pre-authored melody track. The music video game can also display guidelines visually showing permissible harmony tracks in relation to the pre-authored melody track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory B. Lopiccolo, David Plante, Sharat Bhat
  • Patent number: 9358456
    Abstract: Techniques for use with a game console and a camera system, the techniques include providing a first prompt to a first player to create and perform a dance move, receiving at the game console information from the camera system reflecting a position of the first player in response to the first prompt, generating, using the game console, a target frame using the received information relating to the first player, providing, using the audiovisual system connected to the game console, a second prompt to a second player to perform the dance move created by the first player, receiving at the game console information from the camera system reflecting a position of the second player in response to the second prompt, generating, using the game console, an input frame using the information relating to the second player, and comparing the input frame to the target frame to determine a comparison value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Challinor, Matthew C. Boch
  • Patent number: 9278286
    Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryn Bennett, Jason D. Booth, Sylvain Dubrofsky
  • Patent number: 9024166
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for preventing extraction of original audio tracks from a song. The techniques are executed on a game platform and involve providing a first and second audio track representing parts of a musical composition, mixing the first audio track and the second audio track to provide a mixed audio track, generating an audio modification data comprising a series of substantially random audio modifiers, and then modifying, before playback, the mixed audio track based on the audio modification data to provide a modified mixed audio track, such that subtracting the second audio track from the modified mixed audio track produces a third audio track with an audibly detectable deviation from the first audio track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Aurelio R. Ramos
  • Patent number: 8874243
    Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryn Bennett, Jason D. Booth, Sylvain Dubrofsky