Patents Examined by Allen Chan
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Patent number: 11020661Abstract: A method of cloud gaming is disclosed. The method including receiving an encoded video frame at a client, wherein a server executes an application to generate a rendered video frame which is then encoded at an encoder at the server as the encoded video frame, wherein the encoded video frame includes one or more encoded slices that are compressed. The method including decoding the one or more encoded slices at a decoder of the client to generate one or more decoded slices. The method including rendering the one or more decoded slices for display at the client. The method including begin displaying the one or more decoded slices that are rendered before fully receiving the one or more encoded slices at the client.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Cerny, Kelvin M. Yong
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Patent number: 11025971Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for porting locally processed media data with low latency to a remote client device via various wireless links are provided. In one example embodiment, a transceiver module may include a local network interface and a controller that may receive a client control signal from a client device over a wireless local area network via the local network interface, transmit a media control signal based on the client control signal to a media device, receive media data based on the media control signal from the media device, and transmit to the client device over the wireless local area network via the local network interface client data based on the media data and a low-latency compression technique. The receipt of the media data and transmission of the client data may be accomplished with substantially no detectable latency. Additional embodiments are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLCInventors: Donald Gordon, Thomas Paquin, Michael Toy, Mike Roper, Roger van der Laan
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Patent number: 10994205Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a specifying unit configured to specify areas in a virtual space, in which a character and an object are respectively arranged for each event in a game, a detection unit configured to detect an overlap between the area of the object and the area of the character, and an arrangement unit configured to rearrange the area of the character, in which the overlap is detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuishin Takafuji, Hisakazu Kajiwara
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Patent number: 10994204Abstract: There are provided a game program and a game system for achieving a game in which, even when it is difficult to determine the location of an enemy character while searching for the enemy character in a virtual game space, it is not too difficult to find the enemy character. A game program 30a causes a CPU 10 to function as a virtual-space generating unit 40, a character control unit 42, a trace generating unit 43 that generates a trace of a non-player character and locates it in the virtual game space, a point managing unit 45 that manages a trace point obtained when a trace located in the virtual game space is collected, and a guidance executing unit 47 that performs the guidance regarding the non-player character to the user when an accumulated value Vs of the trace points reaches a predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuya Tokuda, Kaname Fujioka, Teruki Endo, Mitsuru Endo, Daiki Hosokawa, Hirokazu Tanaka, Riki Shigematsu
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Patent number: 10994210Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing an online game implemented by means of a computer system. The method includes the step of storing a plurality of images in at least one computing device. The method then includes the step of obtaining content data from the plurality of images stored in the computing device through a content extraction module. The method includes the step of facilitating the users to initiate a challenge for each other to create a game session over a game networking system through a challenge creation module. The game session includes a friend game session and a date game session. The method includes the step of initiating the game session created by the challenge creation module over the game networking system through a gaming module.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventor: Erick Barto
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Patent number: 10977902Abstract: A video poker game wherein an additional virtual bonus card, called a lightning bonus card, is added to a virtual deck of cards and is randomly dealt into the opening hand of a video poker game. Upon receiving a randomly dealt lightning bonus card in the opening deal of a video poker game, the player is awarded the opportunity to play as many virtual hands n of video poker during a specific amount of time t without wagering additional credits for each subsequent hand following the receiving of the lightning bonus card. In one embodiment, the lightning bonus card is added to the hand on the deal to replace discarded cards.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Inventor: Timothy G. Nottke
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Patent number: 10974147Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting viewports into a game. One example method for presenting viewports into a game to a spectator user is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of virtual cameras for providing viewports into the game. The method includes accessing a playbook of the spectator user. The playbook stored in association with a profile of the spectator user. The playbook identifies performance attributes of the spectator user in relation to one or more game features of the game. The method includes accessing event data for the game as the game is played live. The method includes generating a switchboard interface for the spectator user including a plurality of viewports providing views into the game. The plurality of viewports is dynamically selected for inclusion into the switchboard interface based on processing the event data and the playbook of the spectator user through a machine learning model.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Mario M. Sarria, Jr.
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Patent number: 10960303Abstract: The present invention relates to a kinesthetic-feedback wearable apparatus which realizes a kinesthetic-feedback in a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), and more particularly to a kinesthetic-feedback wearable apparatus which provides a resistance, which is suitable for a situation in a virtual reality or augmented reality, to a user by using a propeller in a state in which a virtual reality or augmented reality device is mounted to the user who uses the virtual reality or augmented reality device. According to the present invention, a reactive force for a kinesthetic-feedback can be easily realized through a scheme of attaching a light propeller to a wrist, and reactive forces of various directions may be realized only with a small number of propellers by allowing the directions and the RPMs of the propellers to be separately controlled for a higher degree of freedom when two or more propellers are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KAIST)Inventors: Andrea Bianchi, Duck-Joo Lee, Young Min Jo, Seungwoo Je, Junkyu Kim
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Patent number: 10960291Abstract: A tracking apparatus for a machine having an operation assembly is disclosed. The tracking apparatus has an electric relay configured to be connected to the operation assembly, a tracking device that is connected to the electric relay, and a display assembly that is selectively connected to the electric relay. The display assembly is configured to transfer an electrical pulse from the display assembly to the tracking device via the electric relay. The operation assembly performs an operation when the electrical pulse is transferred to the tracking device. The tracking device counts the electrical pulse.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: BarZcash Inc.Inventors: James J. Kershbaumer, James Peter Kershbaumer
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Patent number: 10940386Abstract: The invention provides an improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands. Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise a plurality of controls located on the front and top of the controller. The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises an actuator mounted to one of the plurality of controls located on the front of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ironburg Inventions LimitedInventors: Duncan Ironmonger, Carl Jeffrey
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Patent number: 10933281Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring athletic performances include determining “flight time,” e.g., the amount of time both feet are off the ground, and optionally “flight time” resulting from different types of activities, such as jogging, running, sprinting, jumping, etc. “Flight time” may help a player or coach better understand the effort the athlete is putting out, compare efforts of two or more players, gauge the athlete's performance change over time, and/or identify conditioning needs and/or areas for improvement. Such systems and methods also may generate and display various athletic performance metrics, such as: instantaneous flight time; average flight time; cumulative flight time during an athletic performance or other time period; instantaneous jump height; average jump height; cumulative jump height during an athletic performance or other time period; and comparisons of any flight time and/or jump height metric(s) of one player against another player and/or against himself/herself; etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: SantoshKumar Balakrishnan, Robert M. Bruce, Justin Fraga, Paul J. Francis
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Patent number: 10933318Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating that a boundary is crossed during execution of a video game are described. One of the methods includes generating, by a camera, a field-of-view, the field-of-view encompassing a plurality of boundaries that define a volume. The method further includes capturing, by the camera, one or more images of a head-mounted display (HMD) within the field-of-view. The method includes identifying, by a processor, a position of the HMD in a real-world environment from the one or more images. The method includes determining, by the processor, whether the HMD at the position has crossed one of the boundaries. The method includes generating one or more video frames including a guard rail upon determining that the HMD has crossed the one of the boundaries and sending the one or more video frames to the HMD for display.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLCInventors: Seth Luisi, Mark Rogers
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Patent number: 10937272Abstract: A promotional game is conducted over participants' cell phones. During a play period, a participant advances on a virtual game board using cell phone commands. During the play period, participants' gaming wagering is used to generate drawing tickets. Each player may text COUNT to receive a text message containing his or her current board position and total tickets accumulated. Alternatively, or in addition, he or she may go to the casino, text the word STATUS and have the same information depicted with accompanying animation on a video display. At the end of the play period each player may text PEEK to receive a message indicating whether or not he or she has won any prizes. To learn the number of prizes and their worth, the player may go to the casino, text the word REVEAL and have the prize details depicted with accompanying animation on the video display.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: ACRES TECHNOLOGYInventors: John F. Acres, William M. Adamson, Patrick B. Ferguson
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Patent number: 10918937Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a dynamic gameplay session management system that is configured to provide a gameplay tournament system. The system provides matching of teams and/or players during a series of gameplay sessions. A point threshold that a player or team must satisfy in order to unlock tournament victory conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.Inventor: John Vincent Nelson, Jr.
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Patent number: 10909813Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a uniquely automated, and otherwise gamified, version of a Squares Game, enhanced with additional reactive gaming schemes and with an opportunity for expansion to an active wagering scenario. The disclosed schemes incorporate technology for hosting on, or interacting/reacting with, potential participants' mobile and personal communicating and computing devices. The disclosed systems and methods uniquely adapt the gamified Squares Game to implement hybrid schemes employed by one or more of the myriad “fantasy sports” leagues that have become attractive to mass audiences. The disclosed schemes provide event-long score tabulation as a mechanism by which to allocate awards. The disclosed schemes provide for branding to certain sponsors of a Super Squares event, league, or season, in a manner that the a sponsoring entity's retail and/or website properties may be linked to the automated game in order to facilitate increased traffic, sales and/or exposure.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Inventor: Frank S. Maggio
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Patent number: 10905958Abstract: A game device including memory an operation device, and circuitry. The memory is configured to store information related to an image of a first object and a virtual space. The operation device is configured to output first operation information and second operation information, based on a motion of a player. The circuitry is configured to display an image of the first object moving in the virtual space, progress a first game when the first operation information is retrieved, determine whether a state of the first object moving in the virtual space satisfies a predetermined condition in the first game, and progress a second game when the second operation information is retrieved within a predetermined period after the state of the first object satisfies the predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: GREE, Inc.Inventors: Hitoshi Imai, Gaku Kawamura, Yuzaburo Maruyama
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Patent number: 10896572Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an improved gaming machine that facilitates automated or semi-automated user interactions therewith. Illustratively, a method is provided that includes generating a game history message for delivery to a mobile device, transmitting the game history message to the mobile device, receiving a wager strategy message from the mobile device, and extracting, from the wager strategy message, a wager strategy for the player to be applied at the gaming machine for a game of chance to be played after receiving the wager strategy message. The method may further include executing the game of chance by placing a wager for the player on the game of chance in accordance with the wager strategy extracted from the wager strategy message.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: IGTInventors: Can Li, Tingting Zhan, Xuehai Zhang, Robert Li, Yuehua Leng
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Patent number: 10891832Abstract: A tracking apparatus for a machine having an operation assembly is disclosed. The tracking apparatus has an electric relay configured to be connected to the operation assembly, a tracking device that is connected to the electric relay, and an electronic payment device that is connected to the electric relay. The electric relay is configured to transfer a first electrical pulse from the operation assembly to the tracking device. The electric relay is configured to transfer a second electrical pulse from either the electronic payment device or the operation assembly to the tracking device. The relay transfers the first electrical pulse or the second electrical pulse when the operation assembly performs an operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Inventors: James J. Kershbaumer, James Peter Kershbaumer
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Patent number: 10874947Abstract: A method for gaming assistance. Information relating to game plays of player for a gaming application is received at a back-end server. A current game context of a first game play of a first player is determined from the information. Historical expert game contexts of expert game plays of experts that have played the gaming application are determined from the information. An assistance query related to the first game play is received. The current game context of the first player is compared to the historical expert game contexts to determine at least one expert having a corresponding historical expert game context that matches the first game context. A first expert is assigned to the first player for obtaining assistance. A communication session is generated between a device of the first expert and a device of the first player to enable the first expert to render assistance to the first player.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLCInventors: Warren Benedetto, Landon Noss, Andrew Herman, Tom Srisook, Chad Rolinski, Parsa Shirazi
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Patent number: 10878652Abstract: Gaming machines, methods, and systems include a dynamically configurable pushbutton assembly including a video display having a first top surface and a first outer periphery defining a display screen area. At least one mechanical pushbutton is mounted to the display screen, the at least one mechanical pushbutton includes a second top surface and a second outer periphery defining a corresponding pushbutton area within. The second top surface and the pushbutton area are located to extend at least partly over a portion of the display screen area and within the first outer periphery, and the second top surface is transparent so that the portion of display screen area within the pushbutton area is visible through the second top surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventor: Rajendrasinh Banesinh Jadeja