Patents Assigned to Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 8702485Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for scoring a player performance comprising one or more poses in a dance-based video game. a performance 3D skeleton is received that indicates a pose of the player. A score is calculated by comparing a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of the performance 3D skeleton to a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of a target pose and altering one or more characteristics of the dance-based video game based on the score.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Flury, Kasson D. Crooker, Matthew C. Boch, Eran B. Egozy, Dean N. Tate, Seth Goldstein, Isaac Adams, Adam Carriuolo
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Patent number: 8690670Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the performance of a plurality of players playing a video game simulating a rock band experience may include: calculating a player score for each player playing a rhythm action game within a band, each player score representing the performance level of a particular player; calculating a composite score for the band playing a rhythm action game, the composite score based in part on a performance level associated with each player within the band; displaying the composite score on a performance meter as a performance level; and displaying each player score on the performance meter as a graphical indication positioned on the meter at a position corresponding to the calculated player score.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Kay, Ryan Lesser, Gregory B. LoPiccolo, Daniel Schmidt, Kevin Morris McGinnis, Nathan H. Wright
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Patent number: 8686269Abstract: A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Schmidt, Gregory B. LoPiccolo, Eran Egozy
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Patent number: 8678896Abstract: Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Geoff Pitsch, Daniel Charles Teasdale, Daniel Asher Brakeley, Daniel Schmidt
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Patent number: 8678895Abstract: A method for matching suitable remote players to one or more local players of a rhythm-action game includes identifying one or more local players to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical. A first type of simulated musical instrument represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. A game session may then be provided including the one or more local players and the identified remote player.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Charles Teasdale, Geoff Pitsch, Daniel Asher Brakeley, Daniel Schmidt
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Patent number: 8663013Abstract: Described are methods, systems, apparatuses, computer program products embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and means for providing online challenges between bands in a musical video game. Typically the invention is executed on a game server in signal communication with a game platform and involves receiving, by the game server, musical game input data representing a musical performance of a band. Then, the game server calculates a composite score from the input data based on a gameplay challenge. Then the composite score is compared to a composite score of a second band's performance for the same gameplay challenge. In some embodiments, the comparison is displayed as a real-time representation of the two bands, even though score of the second band is based on a stored performance of the second band.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eran B. Egozy, Daniel Teasdale, Brian Thomas Stephens, Daniel Schmidt, John R. Eskew, Rafael Baptista, Kasson Crooker
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Patent number: 8636572Abstract: The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas R. Applewhite, Bryn Bennett, Sylvain Dubrofsky, Michael Monsalvatge, Daniel A. Schmidt, Matthew J. Sharpe, Daniel C. Teasdale
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Patent number: 8568234Abstract: The invention provides a realistic drum experience in a video game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a drum controller having at least one cymbal and at least one drum pad. It involves determining if a cue to be displayed on the display in a particular sub-lane should be a cue indicating a cymbal input or a cue indicating a pad input. Then, the cue is displayed in the particular sub-lane, indicating the cymbal input or pad input (dependent on the previous determination). Then, input is received from the player via the drum controller; and the input is given a first score if the input was a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane and the input is given a second score if the input was an input other than a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sylvain Dubrofsky, Douglas R. Applewhite, Michael Monsalvatge, Daniel A. Schmidt, Daniel C. Teasdale
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Patent number: 8562403Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for prompting a player to perform a series of dance moves. A player is prompted to perform a series of dance moves by providing a timeline comprising at least a first time interval associated with a first dance move, and a second time interval associated with a second dance move; displaying an icon representing the first dance move at a first location on the display for the duration of the first time interval; and displaying an icon representing the second dance move at the first location on the display for the duration of the second time interval, wherein the icon representing the first dance move includes one or more representations of a body and indicates on the one or more representations of the body at least one body part whose position is important during the performance of the first dance move.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Matthew C. Boch, Kasson D. Crooker, Dean N. Tate, Isaac Adams, Adam Carriuolo, Eitan Glinert
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Patent number: 8550908Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems with an apparatus configured to perform particular functions, computer program products, and apparatuses that provide means for displaying a game cue for a guitar part and/or displaying a player's input. The expected and/or input performances are indicated on a display by creating a game cue or shape on the display, each having portions of varying magnitudes based on the relative differences between the notes or fingering of expected performance and/or inputted performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jason D. Booth, Bryn Bennett, Sylvain Dubrofsky, Michael Monsalvatge, Matthew J. Sharpe, Joshua F. Stoddard, Daniel C. Teasdale
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Patent number: 8465366Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for biasing a musical performance input of a player of a rhythm-action game to a part in the game. In one aspect this is accomplished by providing, by a game platform, a history of a degree of matching between a prior music performance input data and a prior music data associated with a first part in a musical composition. Then, on a display, a plurality of target music data, each associated with a respective part in the musical composition, is displayed, with one of the plurality being associated with the first part. Music performance input data is received by the game platform via an input device, such as a microphone, and, based on the history, the received music performance input is assigned to the target music data of the plurality that is associated with the first part.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Robert Applewhite, Christopher Joseph Foster, Joshua Forrest Stoddard, Sylvain Dubrofsky
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Patent number: 8449360Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying song lyrics and vocal cues in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a vocal cue. The vocal cue moves on the display in synchronization with a timing component of a musical composition towards a target marker. Lyrics are also displayed, but instead of moving with the movement of the vocal cue the lyrics are displayed in a fixed position. The lyrics maintain their position until the vocal cue has moved to a particular position with respect to the target marker.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Forrest Stoddard, Christopher Joseph Foster, Sylvain Dubrofsky
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Patent number: 8444486Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Kay, Greg LoPiccolo, Daniel Schmidt, Alexander Rigopulos
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Patent number: 8444464Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for prompting a player to perform a series of dance moves. A player is prompted to perform a series of dance moves by providing a timeline comprising at least a first time interval associated with a first dance move, and a second time interval associated with a second dance move; displaying an icon representing the first dance move at a first location on the display for the duration of the first time interval; and displaying an icon representing the second dance move at the first location on the display for the duration of the second time interval, wherein the icon representing the first dance move includes one or more representations of a body and indicates on the one or more representations of the body at least one body part whose position is important during the performance of the first dance move.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Matthew C. Boch, Kasson D. Crooker, Dean N. Tate, Adam Carriuolo, Isaac Adams, Eitan Glinert
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Patent number: 8439733Abstract: Band members use their own performance during a song to reinstate a band member who has failed during the course of the song. Once a band member has failed, options are given to other members of the band who have achieved a predetermined bonus or performance level to save the fallen band member. Once saved, the failed member returns to normal play of the song. In this manner, failure still has the consequence of removing a player from a song at least temporarily, and perhaps permanently if bandmates are unable or unwilling to save the fallen member. However, by providing the option of reinstatement, band members can prevent their friends from long stretches of inactivity following a failure. This may have the added benefit of encouraging band members to perform strongly in order to be able to save their friends.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Kay, Daniel Teasdale, Chris Foster, Dan Schmidt
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Patent number: 8419536Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Kay, Greg LoPiccolo, Daniel Schmidt, Alexander Rigopulos
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Patent number: D673582Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adam Carriuolo, Dare Matheson, Matthew C. Boch, Kasson D. Crooker, Isaac Adams, Dean N. Tate, Joshua Randall, Ryan Lesser, Matthew Moore
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Patent number: D673583Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jamie McKiernan
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Patent number: D680552Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jamie McKiernan
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Patent number: D689902Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adam Carriuolo, Matthew C. Boch, Isaac Adams, Dean N. Tate