Patents Examined by Allen Chan
  • Patent number: 11682259
    Abstract: A technique of synchronizing a timing to display an event in a game with a beat of a sound is provided. A gaming machine includes a display, a speaker, a storage device that stores tempo data including beat information of the entire BGM and BGM sound data, and a controller connected to the display, the speaker, and the storage device. The controller starts a display of a progression of a game in the display while causing the speaker to output the BGM on the basis of the BGM sound data, determines a timing at which an event is displayed on the display on the basis of the tempo data, dynamically configures animation data so that the event is displayed at the determined timing, and causes the dynamically configured animation data to be displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Norikazu Miura, Shinnosuke Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 11676449
    Abstract: On a network of electronic gaming machines, data regarding the performance of the machines or the players of the machines is collected and processed to make predictions of future jackpots and recommendations of games to play. The predictions and recommendations are delivered via at least one virtual persona that communicates with players or potential players via displays in a casino or on a web browser, via smartphone. Players can conduct conversations with the persona using cellular telephone, text messaging, or other types of Internet communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Acres Technology
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 11673049
    Abstract: A game management system provides a generator interface that enables an operator to trigger automated generation by a content generator of a game event based on operator input values. These values include a particular predefined group or cluster of players for whom the game event is to be tailored or customized based on multidimensional parametric player model data. Additional parameters for which operator input mechanisms are provided by the generator interface include respective target values for a target metric (e.g., a difficulty level) for each of a plurality of game levels that are together to form a game event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Patent number: 11670136
    Abstract: A system for simulating a gaming tournament with a quasi-tournament, the system including a central processor connected to one or more electronic game machines, the central processor configured to receive an input corresponding to an outcome of one or more games to determine one or more winners of the quasi-tournament, wherein the one or more human users select, as input, after a game is initiated and value received from the one or more human users, from one of at least two different potentially winning actions at a single stage in at least one of the one or more games played by the one or more human users, and wherein the system is operative to provide a human user winning the quasi-tournament with a payout from one or more prize pots upon winning the quasi-tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BRAIN GAMES, L.C.
    Inventor: Malcolm B. Davis
  • Patent number: 11660527
    Abstract: An input device that enables various operations is proposed. A plurality of operating buttons (11) and direction keys (12) are arranged in an upper surface (17g). Lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) are arranged in a lower surface (17a). The lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) project downward from the lower surface (17a), have pressing target surfaces (31a) to be pressed by a finger of a user, and are arranged such that the pressing target surfaces (31a) are inclined with respect to a front edge (10a) of the input device (1). The lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) can be moved when the pressing target surfaces (31a) are pressed in a button rearward direction as a direction along the lower surface (17a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Masaho Morita, Taichi Nokuo
  • Patent number: 11660501
    Abstract: A system for analyzing starts and acceleration phases in squat-style track and field events has: a launching stand, a plurality of wireless cameras, a technical analysis host, two foot tracking devices and a gyro group. The launching stand has at least one acceleration sensor and an adjusting support connected to two pedals. The technical analysis host is connected to the acceleration sensor and the wireless cameras, the acceleration sensor actives the wireless cameras to collect instantaneous speed data of a runner, and the technical analysis host generates a 100 m speed curve L1 of the runner, and the 100 m speed curve L1 includes a continuous reduced acceleration section L2. The two foot tracking devices are installed on two feet of each runner. The gyro group have a first gyro, a second gyro, a third gyro and a fourth gyro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL FORMOSA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nian-Ze Hu, Li-Chun Yu, Su-Hwa Ho, Ching-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 11642592
    Abstract: A social game capable of informing a player of the attractiveness of a group fighting event is disclosed herein. A server device comprises: an information storage unit that stores information on the game; and a control unit that executes an arithmetic operation relating to the game and performs processing to display an image of the game at the terminal devices. The information storage unit stores, as a part of the information on the game, information on a fighting event, and the control unit performs processing to, in accordance with an instruction from a player, display the information on the fighting event at a terminal device operated by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoki Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 11642594
    Abstract: A game management system provides a generator interface that enables an operator to trigger automated generation by a content generator of a game event based on operator input values. These values include respective target values for a target metric (e.g., a difficulty level) for each of a plurality of game levels that are together to form the game event. In addition, the generator interface in some examples enables the operator to selectively vary the particular number of game levels that are together to form the game event, via an event sizing mechanism provided by the generator interface. A particular predefined group or cluster of players for whom the game event is to be tailored or customized based on multidimensional parametric player model data can also be selected in the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Patent number: 11638865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to on course rating systems (OCRS) and, more particularly, to its pace targets on cross country or road race course segments and related systems and methods of use. The method includes: obtaining performance equivalences (PEQs) of a first rated course including a track equivalent time of the first rated course; and obtaining a goal time, the equivalent of the first course but on a second course; and providing pace targets on selected segments for the second rated course using the track equivalent time and the goal time in order to cumulatively produce the goal time of the second rated course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: John N. Tucker
  • Patent number: 11635279
    Abstract: Aiming assistance is provided for assisting a user in aiming a ranged weapon at a target. The aiming assistance includes receiving telemetry information from one or more sensors, and determining an aim error based on the telemetry information. The aim error indicates of an error between a trajectory of the ranged weapon and an on target trajectory from the ranged weapon to the target. A somatosensation is provided to the user which is indicative of the aim error. This is done by operating haptic devices of a garment worn on an arm or wrist of the user to apply haptic sensation to skin of the arm or wrist. The haptic devices may be electrodes and the applied haptic sensation comprises transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS), or the haptic devices may be vibrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Samuel Colachis, Richard Brooks, Bohdan Paselsky, Joshua Branch, Andrew Sweeney, Collin Dunlap
  • Patent number: 11628351
    Abstract: An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a camera coupled to a processor; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor. Blockchain smart contracts can be used with the device to facilitate secure operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Bao Tran, Ha Tran
  • Patent number: 11628352
    Abstract: A controller device comprises a controller body that includes one or more interface ports, at least which is a control information output port. A joystick coupled to the controller body has an axis control orientation that is configurable relative to the controller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Black, Alvin Daniel
  • Patent number: 11628356
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing processing resources of an online game include executing the online game for one or more users. Each user is provided access to virtual locations in a gaming world of the online game. A compute is assigned for processing gaming interactivity of the one or more users in the gaming world. A number of users accessing a region within a virtual location are determined. When the number of users exceeds a predefined limit for the compute assigned to the users in the region, the region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions and additional compute is assigned for the region so that the compute and the additional compute can process gaming interactivity for the users in each of the sub-regions defined in the gaming world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Kelvin Yong
  • Patent number: 11617953
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first data from a game engine, the first data associated with a virtual interaction between a virtual hand and a virtual object in a virtual world, determining if the virtual object is interactable based on the first data, determining if the virtual hand is touching the virtual object in the virtual world based on the first data, and when it is determined that the virtual object is interactable and the virtual hand is touching the virtual object, outputting second data describing a relationship between the virtual hand and the virtual object based on the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CONTACT CONTROL INTERFACES, LLC.
    Inventors: Zachary Schroeder, John Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11617527
    Abstract: A system for monitoring muscle load, is configured to perform operations including: obtaining, from at least one sensor, measurement data on an exerciser; determining, based on the measurement data, a number of repetitions of a macroscopic movement performed during a physical exercise; determining, based on a conversion entry corresponding to a type of the physical exercise, muscle load coefficient of one or more muscles loaded in the physical exercise; utilizing the muscle load coefficient of the one or more muscles and the number of repetitions in determining muscle load data indicating muscle specific muscle load caused by the physical exercise performed by the exerciser; and outputting the muscle load data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Ville Majava, Pertti Puolakanaho, Jonna Puurunen
  • Patent number: 11615678
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a plurality of games of chance. The gaming system includes a primary game display and a secondary game display. The plurality of games includes at least a plurality of electronic table games including two or more electronic table games from a group of table games including, craps, baccarat, roulette, or blackjack. The processing of the two or more electronic table games includes a separate and discrete game state engine for each of the two or more electronic table games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: David Colvin, William Chong, Keith Matthew Kruczynski, Joel Jason Searles, Randall Paul Tallon
  • Patent number: 11612818
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting viewports into a game. One example method includes identifying a plurality of virtual cameras for providing viewports into the game. The method includes accessing a playbook of a spectator user, and the playbook identifies performance of the spectator user in the game. The method includes accessing event data for the game as the game is played live or recorded. The method includes generating a switchboard interface for the spectator user including a plurality of viewports providing optional views into the game. The plurality of viewports is dynamically selected based on processing the event data and the playbook of the spectator user through a machine learning model. The machine learning model is configured to identify features from the event data and the playbook to identify attributes of the spectator user. The attributes of the spectator user are used to select the plurality of viewports into the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Mario M. Sarria, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11607605
    Abstract: A touch screen game controller assembly includes a game controller that is electronically coupled to a gaming console to control video game play. A direction touch screen is coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game. A button touch screen is coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game. A select touch screen is coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game. A start touch screen is coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game. A first dome and a second dome are each coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game. A first front touch screen and a second front touch screen are each coupled to the game controller for controlling respective control functions of a video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: David Garrett
  • Patent number: 11602671
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for conducting multi-member group competitions involving physical exertion, the system includes a competition server that serves to designate a set of parameters for a competition involving at least two competing groups of individuals engaged in physical activity, the set of parameters defining a win condition requiring physical activity to be completed by at least two separate individuals within each group. The system further receives data representative of physical activity of multiple individuals in a first group, receives data representative of physical activity of multiple individuals in a second group, determines whether the win condition has been satisfied by the first group or the second group, and identifies a winner as the first group or the second group that completed the win condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Zwift, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Min, Jordan Rapp
  • Patent number: 11600372
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwamina Crankson, Kristen L. White, Michael L. Orenstein, Michael T. Hoffman, Jason Nims