Patents Examined by Alex F. R. P. Rada, II
  • Patent number: 10741010
    Abstract: A gaming system including an electronic gaming machine and an associated player chair configured to operate with the electronic gaming machine to provide player tactile feedback based on player eye gaze data, and thus provide enhanced physical player interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kurt Larsen, Marcus Schwendener
  • Patent number: 10726679
    Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine a processor programmed to initiate a skill contest game and display a skill contest game on a display device, and determine a number of skill events being included in the skill contest game. Each skill event includes an image being displayed in a corresponding user input button for a predefined event time period. The processor determines a reference point total as a function of the number of skill events, and determines a normalized skill game point total based on the total amount of base points and the reference point total, determines an award as a function of the normalized skill game point total, and adjusts the credit balance based on the award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Hirai, Toru Omoto
  • Patent number: 10695681
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for unlocking game play data on Near Field Communications (NFC) chips to allow for game play using the game play data on the NFC chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Tapcentive, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Irwin, Jr., David Wentker
  • Patent number: 10685532
    Abstract: A system for interactive gaming among a plurality of players includes a host computer system and a plurality of player terminals communicably coupled to the host computer system via a network. The plurality of player terminals are located at a plurality of licensed gaming locations. The plurality of player terminals are configured to engage the plurality of players in a common interactive game operated by the host computer system. The plurality of player terminals include means for dispensing player winnings from the player terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Frenkel
  • Patent number: 10675533
    Abstract: A game employing user-modifiable game components, such as cards in a collectable card game, employs various features to provide user-modifiability, including sleeves, transparent cards, stickers, and other elements. Electronic versions of the game and various other features are included, including tracking of history associated with such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Wizards of the Coast, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Gilson, Cormac Russell, Paul Sottosanti, Randy Buehler, Ramon Arjona, Karl Robert Gutschera, Brandon Anthony Bozzi, Aaron Joel Forsythe
  • Patent number: 10655941
    Abstract: A target shooting system is described. The system can include at least one target signal/sensor assembly, the target signal/sensor assembly including an active target signal, an active target signal actuator, at least one hit sensor, and a target signal/sensor transceiver. The system can also include a round counter configured to be attached to a weapon and to sense firing of a projectile from the weapon, the round counter including a projectile firing sensor, a round counter processor and a round counter transceiver. The system can further include a computing device configured to communicate with the at least one target signal/sensor assembly and the round counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Trigger Interactive, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Brockel
  • Patent number: 10653969
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toy, and methodologies and infrastructures for provision, operation, and utilization thereof, implementable in any configuration (plush, stuffed, doll, character, vehicle, etc.) that is operable to: (a) receive an electronic message (optionally inclusive of media and/or interactive content) from an authorized party, (b) provide at least one visual (and/or audio) indicator to a recipient (e.g., a child) that a message is present (e.g., a toy element or region may light up, flash, emit an audio signal), and (c) vocalize the electronic message to the recipient in response to at least one of: (1) one or more specific actions of the recipient (e.g., moving the toy, picking it up, touching the active indicator, a verbal utterance, etc.), and/or (2) detection of proximal presence of a recipient ready for receipt thereof. The inventive toy and related data processing infrastructures may comprise many additional capabilities and functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Shana Lee McCart-Pollak
  • Patent number: 10646783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Hibbert, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Leor Stern, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, William J. Kilday, Yennie Solheim, Keith P. Golden, Charles Spirakis
  • Patent number: 10646780
    Abstract: A game system comprising a data processing system and an identification toy element that includes information associated with the identification toy element; wherein the identification toy element is a toy construction element comprising one or more connectors configured for mechanically connecting one or more other toy construction elements to the identification toy element so as to allow a user to construct a toy construction model; and wherein the data processing system is configured to: detect a presence of the identification toy element in a detection area; create an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification toy element; access, when the identification toy element is again placed within a detection area, the information associated with the identification toy element; obtain, based on the accessed information, information about the virtual object associated with the identification toy element; present a representation of the associated virtual object; an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Jens Valentin Laulund, Joakim Kørner Nielsen, Morgan James Walker, Bjarke Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10617943
    Abstract: The present invention is a controller with a motor module. The controller with a motor module comprises a body. A support is disposed inside the body. The support comprises an alignment part and an engaging part both are disposed on the support. A motor module has a central axis and is capable of dismounting from the support. The motor module comprises a housing, a matching part and a blocking part both are disposed on the housing. When the motor module is applied a force to make the motor module rotates along the central axis thereof, the matching part engages with the alignment part, and the blocking part engages with the engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh Cheng Chou, Chi Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 10561949
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for processing replacements to a target array according to an ordered list. A system may provide automatic and intuitive identification of selectable tokens by iteratively identifying all selectable tokens for processing or replacement in an array, and, for each selectable token, determining a unique vector or angle to the selectable token from a predetermined position. The selectable tokens may be placed in a list ordered by the vector or angle. A user interface may indicate a candidate selectable token and allow the user to either select the token for processing or replacement, or navigate through the ordered list to a different candidate selectable token. In one such implementation, the user may modify the vector or angle, and the user interface may highlight another candidate selectable token corresponding to the modified vector or angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Funkitron, Inc.
    Inventor: David Walls
  • Patent number: 10548511
    Abstract: A method of analyzing data obtained from sensors worn on the body of an athlete. The sensors provide both location and physiological data. The sensors provide data to a computer program that can analyze the movement of the athlete and compare it to prior movement or optimal movements. The computer program can determine better motions to optimize performance based on the motion data from the sensors. The program can also determine physiological changes for the athlete, such as for example increasing leg strength, to optimize the performance. The program can also analyze and predict the trajectory of the sports object based on the data obtained regarding the athlete's movements and capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin Douglas Kruger
  • Patent number: 10543428
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a player character on a display screen of a display device provided with a touch panel. The video game processing apparatus is provided with a virtual controller information memory for storing virtual controller information on a virtual controller. The display device is caused to display the virtual controller on the display screen on the basis of the virtual controller information. In a case where an operational input to the virtual controller displayed on the display screen is received, the video game processing apparatus updates a shape of the virtual controller on the basis of the virtual controller information, and controls an action of the player character on the basis of the received operational input. The operational input may include a slide operation and a tap operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Ryoma Matsui, Toshio Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10535219
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method may include generating a plurality of reel strips, where each reel strip includes a plurality of symbol display positions, and where each of the plurality of symbol display positions has a width and a height. The method may further include adding a first oversized symbol to two of the plurality of reel strips, where the first oversized symbol has an oversized width that is at least twice the width of a symbol display position. The method may further include adding a plurality of symbols to the plurality of reel strips generating a game outcome based upon the first oversized symbol and the plurality of symbols, and generating game award based upon the game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Bradley Hendricks, Thomas Tuomey
  • Patent number: 10521998
    Abstract: A weightless articulating door mount for a gaming machine is disclosed. The weightless articulating door mount has a four link mechanism and a cam. A biasing mechanism interacts with the weightless articulating door mount through the cam and provides a uniform force counteracting the weight of the door/monitor. With the door/monitor effectively weightless, the door may be opened and will remain in place absent any further disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Barbour, Dominic S. Biondo
  • Patent number: 10486049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for monitoring a swimming performance. The device comprises one or more motion-sensitive sensors for providing motion data characteristic to the motion of the swimmer during said swimming performance and a computing unit adapted to detect body motions from said motion data using predefined criteria. According to the invention the computing unit comprises means for calculating a plurality of correlation factors depicting correlation of motion data between successive body motions detected, means for storing the correlation factors as a time series, and means for determining one or more parameters characteristic to the swimming performance based on said correlation factors stored. The invention can be used for robust determination of swimmer's turns, distance swum or swimming style, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Amer Sports Digital Services Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Nieminen, Markus Kemetter, Janne Kallio, Antti Virtanen
  • Patent number: 10486059
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
  • Patent number: 10460564
    Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to one or more games at one or more venues. Gaming at a venue may qualify a player for a bonus game. A pool from which awards are paid for winning the bonus game may be funded through gaming activity that is not at the one or more venues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Lipka, Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 10453310
    Abstract: A gaming system for providing a tournament skill-based game to players is described herein. The gaming system includes a plurality of gaming machines including a host gaming machine and a plurality of node gaming machines. Each of the plurality of gaming machines is configured to provide a skill-based game to a player. The host gaming machine is configured to transmit a data file to each participating node gaming machine indicating the selected musical soundtrack, the associated number of skill events, and the associated sequential display pattern. The host gaming machine is configured to transmit an initiation signal to each participating node gaming machine causing each participating node gaming machine to initiate the tournament skill game in coordination with the host gaming machine. Each participating gaming machine simultaneously conducts a round of the tournament skill game including displaying the skill events in the sequential display pattern with the selected musical soundtrack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Hirai, Toru Omoto, Shoki Kogure
  • Patent number: 10441879
    Abstract: There is provided a first toy device that wirelessly and periodically transmits, using a transceiver, a first unique ID number, wirelessly receives, using the transceiver, a second unique ID number from a second toy device, stores the second unique ID number in the memory. Further, when the first toy device is in communication with a gaming device having a gaming application, the first toy device retrieves the second unique ID number from the memory, and transmits the retrieved second unique ID number to the gaming device to inform the gaming application of an encounter between the first toy device and the second toy device for use in the gaming application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Panec, Michael P. Goslin, Steve Thornton