Patents Assigned to Midway Games West
  • Patent number: 6755654
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Midway Games West
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 6592375
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system includes a sound resonant chamber assembly for simulating audio sounds representative of the sounds produced during the operation of the simulated vehicle, comprising a speaker and a sound resonant tube attached to the speaker for enhancing and directing the audio sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Midway Games West Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Henry, Mark L. Gruber, Peter W. Mokris
  • Patent number: 6540607
    Abstract: A position sensing apparatus and method includes a targeting device with a plurality of infrared transmitters or photodiode receivers attached to the targeting device and with corresponding receivers or transmitters mounted near a display monitor. The transmitters emit light signals that are received by the photodiode receivers. Receiver circuitry converts the light signals into signals representing the distance of the transmitters from the receivers. A processor then calculates the three-dimensional position and vector of the targeting device relative to the display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Midway Games West
    Inventors: Peter W. Mokris, Michael E. Albaugh, Minh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6488505
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Midway Games West Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 6287201
    Abstract: An arcade game that has a numeric keypad for entering telephone numbers is disclosed. After a telephone number, or other unique number is entered into the keypad, default settings for the player are retrieved from a database. The default settings can relate to the type of car driven, type of track to use or whether automatic or manual shifting is preferred. Once the play of a game has been completed, the database is updated with any new preferences selected by the player. In addition, game statistics, such as the number of miles completed, number of laps completed and best lap time are stored to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Midway Games West
    Inventor: Aaron Michael Hightower