Patents Examined by Allen Chan
  • Patent number: 11229838
    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: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Kelvin Yong
  • Patent number: 11219830
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game system comprises a processor incorporated in a main body apparatus, and the processor causes a player character to dig the ground based on an operation input of a player, thereby to form a hole. Water is placed in the hole, whereby a water place is formed. A shape of the water place is changed by expanding the hole, and when the water place has a long shape, the water is controlled so as to flow. When the water place is not a long shape, the water does not flow. That is, a river or a pond is formed in a game field based on an operation input of the player. When causing a player character to perform fishing based on an operation input of the player, different processing is executed between the river and the pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kotaro Hiromatsu, Yoshihiko Ito, Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11213748
    Abstract: A system and method for launching gameplay from streaming content is provided. Information regarding media content may be stormed in memory. Such media content may have at least one or more trigger points and each trigger point may be associated with a set of game data specific to a gameplay scene within an interactive title. The media content may be streamed to a user device over a communication network. A selection of one of the at least one or more trigger points may be received over the communication network from the user device. Identifying the set of game data associated with the selected trigger point may be identified and the interactive title for gameplay may be launched by the user device based on the identified set of game data associated with the selected trigger point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Jarzebinski
  • Patent number: 11207584
    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: November 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Bao Tran, Ha Tran
  • Patent number: 11202963
    Abstract: A display mount for connecting electronic devices includes a body, a display support, and a movable arm connected to the body and the display support. The body has a lower surface and an upper surface. The body further includes a controller connection mechanism. The arm is positioned above the upper surface to hold the display support above the body and opposite the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Paul Esselstrom, Kenneth Alan Lobb, Joseph Wheeler
  • Patent number: 11202947
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting configuration states of a golf club and adjustment systems of a golf club, such as a shaft connection system. A golf club configuration detection system captures configuration data from the adjustment system of the golf club by a configuration detection device, such as a camera, a barcode scanner, or an RFID scanner. The captured configuration data is compared to reference configuration data to determine a configuration state of the adjustment system. Swing data and ball-flight data are tracked for golf-ball strikes with the golf club in the detected configuration state. Recommendations for configuration states may be generated based on the tracked data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: Leonidas Amarant, Felipe Marcelino, William Souza, Charles Hightower, Idris Screen
  • Patent number: 11198055
    Abstract: A game machine includes a first game processing portion performing game processing in a first mode; a second game processing portion performing game processing in a second mode; and a return processing portion performing return processing of a virtual game ball remaining on a virtual board face in a case of satisfying a predetermined condition. The first game processing portion displays at least a virtual board face and a first virtual winning port, and after the virtual game ball launched onto the virtual board face enters the first virtual winning port, the first virtual winning port is deleted from the virtual board face, and the second game processing portion displays a second virtual winning port capable of acquiring a winning ball on the virtual board face. In case the virtual game ball enters the first virtual winning port or second virtual winning port, the return processing portion operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAM JAPAN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiro Koga
  • Patent number: 11198046
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include devices, systems and methods for providing information to sports participants regarding hitting targets, achieving greater accuracy, and improving skill levels. Such information may include, for example, video information, directional information, and/or real-time updated information that may provide feedback to players for improvement of skills. A targeting device in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure comprises a body, a coupler, coupled to a first portion of the body, a target coupler, coupled to a second portion of the body, an adjusting device coupled to the body for enabling movement of at least one of the coupler and the target coupler, and a target coupled to the target coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Antonio Augusto Ribeiro Reis
  • Patent number: 11189128
    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: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Norikazu Miura, Shinnosuke Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 11183017
    Abstract: A claw machine includes a chute and a sensor for detecting a won prize dropped to the chute. The sensor includes infrared units, a comparator, a calculating and judging unit, an actuating unit, an indicator, a controller, an integrated circuit board and a casing. Each of the infrared units includes an infrared transmitter for emitting an incident infrared beam with a carrier wave at a predetermined frequency and an infrared receiver for receiving a reflected infrared beam at the predetermined frequency. The controller instructs, controls, commands and manages the infrared units, the comparator, the calculating and judging unit, the actuating unit and the indicator. The infrared units, the comparator, the calculating and judging unit, the actuating unit and the indicator are supported on the integrated circuit board. The casing contains the integrated circuit board. The casing, which contains the integrated circuit board, is supported on a wall of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Feiloli Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Tsai, I-Chiang Yang
  • Patent number: 11173342
    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 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Min, Jordan Rapp
  • Patent number: 11170004
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an application enabling users to interface dynamically with live sports. Algorithmic generation of user-tailored editorial content that influences sports-bettor behavior, to increase engagement and manage risk. By showing bettors editorial content that could influence the side of the bet they might wish to take (for example, by pointing out that a certain player is playing particularly well or poorly), a sportsbook can influence the ratio of bets (or better, dollars wagered) on either side of a given event. On a more individual level, by showing users content that increases their engagement—such as content about a favorite player or local team, for example—the book can increase a user's propensity to bet in general, with a good sense for which types of bet the user is likely to favor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: UNBLOCKABLE, INC.
    Inventors: Eben Smith, Greg Dean, Gianni Settino, Jesse Pizarro, Taylor Tanita
  • Patent number: 11170607
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an application enabling users to interface dynamically with live sports. The application monitors active sports games and generates propositions based on the status of the game and presents the propositions to users. Users accept the proposition or move on to additional propositions. The propositions are generated, en masse, each second of game and ranked according to a series of criteria. The criteria are used to provide an artificial intelligence approximation of the most exciting question in sports that moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: UNBLOCKABLE, INC.
    Inventors: Eben Smith, Greg Dean, Gianni Settino, Jesse Pizarro
  • Patent number: 11164424
    Abstract: A gaming system wherein a first reel strip is selected from a set of reel strips for a first game. The first reel strip has a set of first consecutive symbol positions and a set of second consecutive symbol positions, each associated with a plurality of symbols and the second consecutive symbol positions comprise at least two consecutive identical symbols. The first reel strip is then displayed within at least one reel. If the user desires to play one or more additional games, the system selects and displays at least one additional reel strip from a set of reel strips. The additional reel strip has a set of first consecutive symbol positions and a set of second consecutive symbol positions, each associated with a plurality of symbols, and the second consecutive symbol positions comprise fewer consecutive identical symbols than were present in the previous game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Epic Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wesley Davis, Donald James Rollo, III
  • Patent number: 11158346
    Abstract: In various examples, durations of relatively high user activity within a gameplay session may be determined from user input events using a running user activity measurement. Once a duration is identified, it may be further analyzed to merge the duration with one or more other durations and/or to determine or predict whether the duration would be of sufficient interest for further action. A user interest score for an identified duration may be computed based on a set of the user input events that occur in the duration and used to determine and/or predict whether the duration would be of sufficient interest for further action. In some cases, an action may be performed based on determining the user interest score is greater than a statistical value that is computed from user interest scores of multiple identified durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Prabindh Sundareson
  • Patent number: 11151844
    Abstract: A gaming system configured to create electronic player sports wagering profiles for un-identified players, track each sports related wager made by each un-identified player, determine if any un-identified player has reached a sports related wager limit for a designated time period, and responsive to determining that an un-identified player has reached the sports related wager limit for the designated time period, initiate a sports wager limit resolution process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven Lemay, Kevin Higgins
  • Patent number: 11148055
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are provided for improved targeting of an individual object among a plurality of objects in a multi-player online video game. The video game may include plurality of objects located at various places at a given frame. At each frame, a position of the objects is identified. If a player object (except for the player object associated with the user) is within a predetermined radius of another player object, a target position of the player object is modified relative to other player objects. Next, the target position of the player object is modified towards its original position within the frame. This process is repeated for each player object until the corresponding player object is no longer within the predetermined radius of another player object or a violation of a constraints prevents the modification from being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Riot Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Longqiang Zhang, Alexander Nixon Huang
  • Patent number: 11148054
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a video game processing program for causing a server to perform functions regarding a search of a moving route in a virtual space is provided. The functions include a setting function, an arranging function, a thinning function, and a searching function. The setting function is configured to set a navigation mesh corresponding to a movable area of an object in a virtual space. The arranging function is configured to arrange a plurality of waypoints on the set navigation mesh in accordance with a predetermined arrangement rule. The thinning function is configured to thin out some waypoints, which are selected in accordance with a predetermined selection rule, from the plurality of waypoints thus arranged. The searching function is configured to search a moving route of the object on a basis of arrangement of the plurality of thinned waypoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichiro Miyake, Makoto Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11151832
    Abstract: A plurality of gaming machines to perform an integrated operation in cooperation with one another is provided. A gaming machine constituting a group of gaming machines includes a display that displays a game screen including predetermined computer graphics cooperated with the other gaming machines included in the group of gaming machines, a storage device that stores a gaming machine identifier, common graphic data, and a plurality of virtual camera coordinates associated with identifiers, and a controller, and the controller constructs a three-dimensional model in common with the other gaming machines on the basis of a timer value synchronized by communicating with the other gaming machines and the common graphic data, and configures the predetermined computer graphics by performing perspective transformation on the three-dimensional model using the virtual camera coordinates associated with the identifier as a point of view, and causes the predetermined computer graphics to be displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Narumi Kazama, Hironobu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11148043
    Abstract: An example peripheral apparatus is configured to communicate with a game controller configured to control a game apparatus. The peripheral apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a user input, a processor and a transmitter. The peripheral apparatus is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode while a communication connection between the peripheral apparatus and the game controller is established. In the first mode, the processor generates a command configured to cause the game controller to execute an operation based on peripheral apparatus data in accordance with a user input detected by the sensor, and the transmitter transmits the command to the game controller. In the second mode, the transmitter transmits the peripheral apparatus data to the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumisato Naruse, Shumpei Yasuda, Toshiki Oizumi