Patents Examined by Alex F. R. P. Rada, II
  • Patent number: 9669296
    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: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Hibbert, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Lior Stern, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, William J. Kilday, Yennie Solheim, Keith P. Golden, Charles Spirakis
  • Patent number: 9666029
    Abstract: An online gaming system providing dynamic delivery of advertisements to users of an online game. The system may dynamically select advertisement for delivery based on one or more user parameters which characterize the user's activity with the online game. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a game module configured to execute an instance of an online game and to implement the instance of the online game to facilitate participation of users in the online game. The system may include a user monitor module configured to monitor user activity parameters. The system may include a potential offer module configured to manage multiple incentive offers which are available for delivery to the users of the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Yu, Jonathan Calipes, Daniel Helmhold, Jennifer J. Lee, Deepak Polamarasetty
  • Patent number: 9626396
    Abstract: An information logger records rotation information on a spinning top and outputs the recorded information. A detachment detector detects that the spinning top is attached to the launcher. A rotation-rate detecting unit detects a rotation rate of the spinning top while a rotational force is applied to the spinning top. Rotation information of the spinning top derived from a result detected by a rotation-rate detecting unit is stored in a storage unit. The rotation information stored in the storage unit is sent to an information processor by a communication unit as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Muraki, Takeaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9616323
    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: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gilson, Cormac Russell, Paul Sottosanti, Randy Buehler, Ramon Arjona, Karl Robert Gutschera, Brandon Anthony Bozzi, Aaron Joel Forsythe
  • Patent number: 9616331
    Abstract: A system and method of managing a gaming machine tournament, such as a slot tournament, are described that include organizing a gaming machine tournament that takes place on a set of gaming machines where each gaming machine has an interface into a tournament management system. The tournament game play parameters are configured using the tournament management system. Perks are provided to players, where the perks can be redeemed during tournament play and provide the player an advantage in the tournament play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Richard Jeffrey Jordan
  • Patent number: 9613489
    Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for displaying winning and non-winning game results in a traditional gaming environment. The system uses an overlay game to present an entertaining display to a player upon the occurrence of a win or trigger event. An overlay game has limited capabilities and additionally is engineered to be usable on a variety of gaming machines. To be usable on a variety of gaming machines, the overlay game is intentionally kept simple; in one case, it comprises a visual display that is shown to a player upon the occurrence of a trigger event. In another embodiment, it requires a simple button press to start the overlay game. The overlay games are downloaded on an as-needed basis, run on the gaming machine, and then discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Warren R. White
  • Patent number: 9597589
    Abstract: An input device (1) for data processing apparatus (12) comprises a dish (2) having a convex lower surface (3) which rests on a base (10) and can tilt in a plurality of directions with respect to the base, and a concave upper surface (5) in which is positioned a movable member such as a ball (6) which can move with respect to the concave upper surface. A user is supported on the movable member, in a standing, sitting or kneeling position. The dish is provided with a motion detector module (8) which detects movement of the dish in response to forces applied to the dish as a result of actions performed by the user, and which produces signals in response to such movement. An interface (9) serves to output the signals to the data processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen Priestnall
  • Patent number: 9592444
    Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device, where the casual, social game is downloaded as an app to a smartphone and/or tablet computer and can be accessed or played using a social network application or environment; and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: a notification is automatically generated if a player is stuck at a level for more than a defined time or after more than a defined number of attempts to pass that level, the notification alerting friends of the player so that they can assist him or her.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Sebastian Knutsson, Lars Jornow
  • Patent number: 9589417
    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 or gaming platform via a network. The plurality of player terminals may be located at a plurality of licensed gaming locations. The plurality of player terminals may be configured to engage the plurality of players in a common interactive game operated by the host computer system. The plurality of player terminals can include means for dispensing player winnings from the player terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 9579569
    Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: in the game, a player is automatically allocated lives, is only permitted to play a game if it has one or more lives left, and loses one or more lives if it fails a level; and in which a player can see which of their friends on the social network are playing, or have played, the game and the level they have reached; and in which the processor enables players who are friends on the social network to collaborate, including by sending a message to their friends, or a subset of their friends, transferring in-game assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Sebastian Knutsson
  • Patent number: 9569466
    Abstract: A system and method for providing offline asynchronous user activity in a player versus player online game is disclosed. A client computing platform associated with a first user may maintain a connection to the game server that hosts a game space at which an online game takes place. The client computing platform may include a game state repository that stores a game space for the game state and a game logic repository that stores game logic for the online game. When the client computing platform disconnects from the game server, an expression of the game space is maintained at the client computing platform. While disconnected, the client computing platform may receive instructions for one or more actions to be taken in the game space and may execute the actions in the online game. When a connection is established with the game server, the executed actions may be verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Pacyga
  • Patent number: 9564062
    Abstract: A device that includes a receiving surface for positioning at least one human body part, multiple capacitive sensor elements disposed within multiple positioning areas on the receiving surface, a sense circuit configured to compare the capacitance measurements of the sensor elements with threshold capacitance values and generate a signal when the capacitance measurements indicate proximity of a human body part on a positioning area, and an indicator configured to generate a notification when the position of the human body part corresponds with at least one location on the receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuanyuan Qin, Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 9558633
    Abstract: Provided is a mixed-math slot machine game having a reels-first base game and a mystery bonus feature with prize-first game logic. After any winning play of the base game, the reels have the possibility of re-spinning a number of times, with the preferred version varying the re-spins from one to four times, for example. If this happens, the game screen informs the player that he or she has been awarded the bonus. While this bonus is triggered by the first base game spin of the reels, the possible prizes it awards are statistically weighted based on the amount of the initial base game prize from the winning reel stop. Various ways of implementing the change of gaming logic are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Everi Games Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Alexander Watkins
  • Patent number: 9550129
    Abstract: A multi-player game platform comprising: at least one mobile electronic device (MED) comprising a processor and configured to execute programmable commands of a control software application; said at least one MED additionally comprising a display configured to provide GUI (Graphical User Interface) means for receiving user input and providing output to a user, a digital camera and communication components configured to communicate with at least one toy, said at least one MED is one of a master MED, wherein said control software application is a master application and a slave MED, wherein said control software application is a slave application; and at least one electro-mechanical toy wirelessly controlled by the control software application, said toy comprising a CPU, a digital memory, a chassis and at least one sensor, said digital memory configured to store a toy software application configured to manage the toy according to commands from the control software application, wherein said digital camera is conf
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Tamir Nave
  • Patent number: 9545566
    Abstract: A display control unit of a game device displays an image expressing a contact subject on a game screen. A determination unit determines, based on a first position designated by a user and a second position designated by the user, which of a right hand or a right foot and a left hand or a left foot the contact subject is to be touched with in a game. A contact control unit executes predetermined processing for the contact subject based on a determination result from the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuka Lee
  • Patent number: 9483902
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, methods, systems, and media for immersive roulette gaming are provided. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, methods for roulette gaming are provided, the methods comprise: receiving video data from a plurality of image sensors; detecting a ball on a roulette wheel based on the video data using a hardware processor; obtaining motion data about the ball based on the video data using the hardware processor; determining whether the ball is about to fall into a pocket of the roulette wheel based on the video data using the hardware processor; and producing multiple slow-motion images of the ball in response to determining that the ball is about to fall into a pocket on the roulette wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Evolution Malta Ltd
    Inventor: Richard Hadida
  • Patent number: 9480929
    Abstract: A playmate toy or similar children's toy is provided having associated wireless, batteryless ID tag that can be read from and/or written to using a radio-frequency communication protocol. The tag is mounted internally within a cavity of the toy and thereby provides wireless communication of stored information without requiring removal and reinsertion of the tag. In this manner, a stuffed animal or other toy can be quickly and easily identified non-invasively, without damaging the toy. Additional information (e.g., unique personality traits, special powers, skill levels, etc.) can also be stored on the ID tag, thus providing further personality enhancement, input/output programming, simulated intelligence and/or interactive gaming possibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MQ Gaming, LLC
    Inventor: Denise Chapman Weston
  • Patent number: 9436426
    Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nogami, Tomoaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9396611
    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: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Frenkel
  • Patent number: 9390586
    Abstract: In a video game apparatus, a game picture that shows conditions of plural token coins on a field and a pusher table, and a token coin array picture that shows in line plural token coins that are able to be fed to the field, are displayed in a viewing area. If a position of a touch operation detected by the detector lies on the token coin array picture, a processor in the video game apparatus determines a number of the token coins to be fed based on the position of the touch operation and feeds the number being determined of the token coins to the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Saruta