Patents Examined by Alex F. R. P. Rada
  • Patent number: 10013852
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a player interface, a slot computer that executes a game, and a video slot machine interface board (VSMIB). The VSMIB includes a slot accounting system (SAS) interface coupled to the slot computer, and a processor coupled to the SAS interface and configured to collect tournament activity data for a tournament from the gaming machine in real time and to transmit the tournament activity data over a network. The VSMIB also includes a video capture circuit coupled to a first graphics processing unit (GPU) of the slot computer and configured to capture game video data from the first GPU, and a second GPU coupled to the video capture circuit and the processor, the second GPU configured to drive a display of the player interface based on the game video data and tournament content for the tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Jeffrey Jordan
  • Patent number: 10010802
    Abstract: The present invention provides a model vehicle having a motor and electronic speed control for driving and braking driven wheels, combined with a separate braking system for non-driven wheels. A controller and a method of operation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Traxxas, LP
    Inventors: Otto Karl Allmendinger, Adam Cole Ewing, Jonathan Scott Wood, Brent Whitfield Byers
  • Patent number: 10004665
    Abstract: An improved baby bottle assembly that glows in the dark structured and arranged to be located without having to turn on the light, which may make a baby become wide awake. The bottle will also play a soothing melody, to help ease the baby back to sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Lisa Maldonado
  • Patent number: 9993725
    Abstract: An operating device has an operating shaft, engagement protrusions, and a movable body. The movable body can rotate relative to the operating shaft. The movable body engages with the engagement protrusions at positions separate from its rotation center. The movable body rotates relative to the operating shaft through the engagement with the engagement protrusions according to the translation of the operating shaft. A base abuts against the movable body in the rotational direction of this movable body and receives a force due to the movement of the operating shaft from the movable body. Sensors detect the force acting on the base. According to this, an operating device having a novel structure allowing detection of the translation of the operating shaft is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Aki Yoguchi
  • Patent number: 9956485
    Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of providing a game in a device, the method comprising retrieving, from at least one memory of the device, information associated with a plurality of objects and one or more characteristics of the objects, the information comprising at least one constraint, each constraint being between two of the plurality of objects, determining, using at least one processor of the device, position information for each of the plurality of objects in dependence on an imposed movement generated by the at least one processor and a threshold distance which limits the distance between respective ones of said plurality of objects having a constraint therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Klas Norden, Daniel Nystrand
  • Patent number: 9947176
    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: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 9943751
    Abstract: An automatic playing card shuffler incorporating means for detecting marked cards. One or more light spectrum emitters or variable light spectrum illuminators transmit light at frequencies/wavelengths which is reflected off card backs through one or more spectrum filters causing invisible markings to become visible. A camera may capture images of the now visible markings. A camera and software collaborate to capture images and analyze the same for markings on the card backs such as smudges, nicks and scuffs and edge demarcations. The automatic playing card shufflers are configured to not only detect marked cards but to detect patterns relative to the card markings. The automatic card shufflers are communicatively linked with a casino management system and/or security system such that casino personnel may be alerted in real time to the discovery of marked cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shark Trap Gaming & Security Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte
  • Patent number: 9943756
    Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a wireless device to a host. The wireless device is associated to the host via a binding and discovery process. The binding process establishes the association. A unique identifier and other binding information is provided to the wireless device, which is stored in the wireless device to establish the link to the console. The binding information is retained in the wireless device. The discovery process enables the wireless device to join a session at hosted by the host. The host sends broadcast packets that are compared to the stored information in the wireless device. The broadcast packets are validated and authenticated to complete the discovery process. A visual indicator on the host and/or controller may indicate the success or failure of either the binding or discovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Lum, Wei Guo, Gary L. Gordon
  • Patent number: 9940780
    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: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 9931578
    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: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MQ Gaming, LLC
    Inventor: Denise Chapman Weston
  • Patent number: 9914062
    Abstract: A wirelessly communicative cuddly toy including a stuffed animal toy having a motorized, articulated robotic interior member disposed therein surrounded by flocculent stuffing material. The robotic interior member includes a transceiver wirelessly communicable by NFC protocol with any appropriate peripheral device. An articulated head member is disposed upon the robotic interior member and configured to animate a mouth of the stuffed animal toy when a speaker, disposed to play audio signals relayed by the transceiver, is activated. Audio executed on the peripheral device is thus playable through the speaker on the robotic interior member and the articulated head member animates the stuffed animal toy in simulation of verbal communication with a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Laura Jiencke
  • Patent number: 9911271
    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: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 9901824
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing user control of objects or vehicles simulated in a simulated environment or virtual world are described herein. The user control may include various types of touch controls that may be used by a player to move the object or vehicle in a direction and/or at a velocity. The user, in some embodiments, may be able to select which type of touch control is used in the user interface. In some arrangements, the touch control may include a touch zone arrangement that can be changed based on a condition of the virtual world or a player interaction with a user interface. Additionally, in some embodiments, the user control may include one or more controls for removing one or more statuses that may be received by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Wargaming.net Limited
    Inventors: Vitaliy Borodovsky, Dmitriy Bobrovnichiy
  • Patent number: 9901821
    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. Object information on an object that appears in the video game indicates an action possible range, in which the object can carry out a predetermined action against the player character, and the content of the predetermined action. In a case where a movement starting operation for the player character is received, the player character is caused to move in accordance with the received movement starting operation. It is determined whether the movement of the player character is terminated within the action possible range. The predetermined action by the object corresponding to the action possible range is carried out in a case where it is determined that the movement of the player character is terminated within the action possible range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Ryoma Matsui, Toshio Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9881449
    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: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Frenkel
  • Patent number: 9875610
    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 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 9873050
    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: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Sebastian Knutsson, Lars Jornow
  • Patent number: 9858754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling an augmented reality interaction system and a mobile device to overlay a virtual 3D component over a physical 3D component with which the virtual 3D component interacts. The method includes: enabling a user to capture a live camera image of a gaming machine cabinet via a camera on the mobile device; determining if there are image tags on the gaming machine cabinet in the live camera image; producing a virtual rendering of the gaming machine cabinet; determining virtual 3D components to be displayed over an image of a virtual gaming machine cabinet; comparing a virtual depth rendering of the virtual 3D components to a virtual depth rendering of the virtual gaming machine cabinet; and overlaying virtual 3D components without the subtracted elements onto a live camera image of the virtual gaming machine cabinet on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 9858746
    Abstract: A controller (100) for gaming devices comprises interfaces (109, 110) connectable to various devices of the gaming device, such as a gaming processor (103), at least one screen (101, 02), which is optionally configured as a touch screen, and a loud speaker (113). Each interface (109, 110) comprises a plurality of connectors selected from a video input connector, a video output connector, an audio input connector, an audio output connector, a touch screen signal input connector, a touch screen signal output connector, a command line connector and/or a data connector. The controller routes signals received at an input connector of a first interface (109, 110) to an output connector of a second interface (110, 09) being assigned to said signal. When necessary, the controller translates a communication protocol used by the signals received at the input connector of the first interface to a communication protocol used by the output connector of the second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DR GAMING TECHNOLOGY EUROPE NV
    Inventors: Michiel Van Dam, Jurgen De Munck
  • Patent number: 9849375
    Abstract: A game program causes a computer to implement a player character movement control function of controlling a player character to move from its home position toward a target movement position which has been set and, when a predetermined condition is met after the player character has moved to the set target movement position, controlling the player character to move from the current position to a second area including the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SEGA Games
    Inventor: Jun Matsunaga