Patents Examined by Alex P. Rada, II
  • Patent number: 11383160
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a player character on a display screen. A player character operation area and a viewpoint operation area are set so that the player character operation area and the viewpoint operation area do not overlap on the display screen. A first operational input to the set player character operation area is received, and an action of the player character is controlled on a basis of the first operational input. A second operational input to the set viewpoint operation area is received, and a viewpoint or a position of a virtual camera is controlled in response to the second operational input. The player character operation area is an operation area through which the player character is operated by a slide operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Ryoma Matsui, Toshio Akiyama
  • Patent number: 11361612
    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: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Barbour, Dominic S. Biondo
  • Patent number: 11229836
    Abstract: A controller for determining a displacement of a control stick and an applied pressure on the control stick comprises at least a first control stick, one or more sensors configured to sense a pressure applied to at least one control stick and to generate corresponding pressure information, first circuitry configured to receive displacement information associated with a physical displacement of the control stick, second circuitry configured to receive from one or more of the sensors pressure information associated with the pressure applied to the control stick, and third circuitry configured to determine the displacement of the control stick and the applied pressure on the control stick; wherein at least a first sensor is configured to sense the pressure applied when the physical displacement of the control stick reaches a displacement limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Simon Mark Benson, Sharwin Winesh Raghoebardajal, Patrick John Connor
  • Patent number: 11217067
    Abstract: A method of reducing the exposure of a wagering network when the exposure exceeds a threshold due to an imbalance of wagers placed on one outcome compared to other outcomes by offering updated odds to users having placed wagers on less favored outcomes and further offering to update the odds of their original wager if they increase their wager amount to incentivize the users to increase their wager, thus reducing the exposure of the wagering network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AdrenalineIP
    Inventors: Casey Alexander Huke, John Cronin, Joseph W. Beyers, Michael D'Andrea, Harrison Grant, Michael Baker
  • Patent number: 11195369
    Abstract: A pedestal system including a pedestal is described. The pedestal includes a base, an access door, and a button deck. The access door is rotatably coupled to the pedestal between a first open position and a first closed position wherein the access door is configured to allow access to an interior portion of the pedestal. The button deck includes one or more of a display and a button panel including one or more buttons. The button deck is rotatably coupled to the pedestal between a second open position and a second closed position wherein the button deck is configured to allow access to the interior portion of the pedestal when the button deck is in the second open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Barbour, Lori Weaver, Ryan Priddy, Kiran Dundaraddi, William Lamb
  • Patent number: 11183014
    Abstract: A first lottery section performs a first lottery for specifying at least one presentation element among a plurality of presentation elements respectively associated with a plurality of content groups. A presentation section presents the presentation element specified by the first lottery, to a user. A second lottery section performs, in accordance with a user's instruction, a second lottery for specifying at least one content from the content group associated with the presentation element presented by the presentation section. A providing section provides the content drawn by the second lottery, to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., DENA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sensui, Masaki Yasuhara, Ai Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11167205
    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 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
  • Patent number: 11151831
    Abstract: A card reader for use in an augmented reality poker game wherein the card reader facilitates the participation of a remote player in a card game at a casino. The card reader includes a base member wherein the base member includes an interior volume. A controller is disposed within the interior volume and includes the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data. The card reader includes a card reading tray that is slidably coupled to the base member and includes an upper surface that is configured to capture and relay image data of a playing card placed thereon. The base member has operably coupled thereto a camera that is secured to a camera mount configured to provide height adjustment of the camera. The camera is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to be manipulated by the remote player engaged with the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Karriem Adams
  • Patent number: 11131529
    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: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Trigger Interactive, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Brockel
  • Patent number: 11069176
    Abstract: A game machine pushbutton configured for mounting to a game machine, the game machine pushbutton including: an input key configured to accept a depression thereof; a plurality of light sources arranged along a peripheral part of the input key; and a light guide including a lighting surface; the light guide provided to surround the peripheral part of the input key and configured to direct light radiating thereon from the plurality of light sources and emit the light from the lighting surface; and the plurality of light sources is arranged with light emitting surfaces thereof oriented in a direction that is different from the direction toward which the lighting surface is oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Sumi, Hiroyuki Onitsuka, Jun Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11055957
    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 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: AG 18, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Frenkel, Jordan Simons
  • Patent number: 11045732
    Abstract: There is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing an image processing program, which when executed causing an image processing device to execute the following steps: receiving an operation for moving a position of a predetermined object in a virtual three-dimensional space; in response to determining that a height of a lowermost part of the predetermined object is less than a height of a surface of a predetermined three-dimensional object, configuring the predetermined object to be movable in a range with a height that is greater than or equal to a predetermined height corresponding to the position on a horizontal plane in the virtual three-dimensional space; and causing the predetermined object to be displayed on or above another object in the virtual three-dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shogo Imai
  • Patent number: 11020680
    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, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Shana Lee McCart-Pollak
  • Patent number: 11014009
    Abstract: A game may be provided which is capable of allowing a user to continuously play a game by allowing users to cooperate with each other on the basis of owned game media. A game program for running the game may include a game medium storage function, an extraction function, an extracted user storage function, a fluctuation determination function, a processing function, and a parameter value storage function. The processing function allows a parameter value of a corresponding game medium to automatically vary on the basis of a result of the determination by the fluctuation determination function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Saito
  • Patent number: 10997817
    Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a game controller configured to control a display device to present a game area, where the game area is configured to display a plurality of reel strips. Further, the game controller may select a reel layout for at least one reel strip, where the selected reel layout specifies a size of at least one oversized symbol and a location of the at least one oversized symbol on the symbol display positions of the at least one reel strip. In addition, the game controller may select a first oversized symbol corresponding to the size of the at least one oversized symbol specified by the selected reel layout, and/or add the first oversized symbol to the at least one reel strip at the location specified by the reel layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley Hendricks, Thomas Tuomey
  • Patent number: 10898795
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to gameplay using mobile devices. Embodiments include receiving, by a first device, input from a player initiating a targeted action. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, an orientation of the first device. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, a location of at least a second device based at least on a message received from the second device. Embodiments include identifying, by the first device, that a target of the targeted action is associated with the second device based on the orientation of the first device and the location of the second device. Embodiments include transmitting, by the first device, an indication of the targeted action to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Nocon, R. Hunter Gough
  • Patent number: 10896573
    Abstract: A method of operating an electronic gaming machine includes detecting a gaze direction of an operator of the electronic gaming machine; identifying a location on the electronic gaming machine towards which the gaze of the operator is directed; identifying an element of the electronic gaming machine corresponding to the location on the electronic gaming machine towards which the gaze of the operator is directed; determining if additional information regarding the identified element is available; and displaying the additional information on a display device that is visible to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Dwayne Nelson
  • Patent number: 10890897
    Abstract: A method and system for assembling a modular structure from components configured to be fitted together to create the modular structure in accordance with a construction plan. Each component includes: a communication interface; and an output interface configured to generate sensory signals. The components communicate, via the communication interface of each component, with a controller to establish an availability of the components for the modular structure. A target component is determined at the controller from the components based on the construction plan and the availability of the components. The target component is a starting component used for initiating creation of the modular structure in accordance with the construction plan. A first sensory signal indicating the target component to a user is generated by the output interface of the target component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wouter Denayer, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Stephane Massonet, Bert Schoofs
  • Patent number: 10864438
    Abstract: A program, embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which causes an information processing device that executes a game to execute: a step of causing an interface that accepts a user operation to be displayed; a step of storing first information related to game content on the basis of the user operation that is accepted by the interface; a step of storing second information related to game content that is selected among a plurality of items of game content by game content selection processing and is associated with a user; a step of comparing the first information and the second information; a step of causing a comparison result of the first information and the second information to be displayed; and a step of making a predetermined game effect capable of being exhibited in the game on the basis of comparison of the first information and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10861283
    Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a control unit programmed display a game screen including a primary game area and a bonus feature event area. The control unit displays the plurality of credit prize symbols in the bonus feature event area with each credit prize symbol being associated with a corresponding special symbol and having an associated credit value. The control unit spins and stops the plurality of virtual reels to display an outcome of the game and determines an amount of credits based on the credit value of each displayed credit prize symbol that is associated with the special symbol displayed in the outcome of the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaya Matsuda