Patents Examined by Carl V Larsen
  • Patent number: 10245505
    Abstract: User-generated recordings of skeletal animations are provided. Information is stored in a memory regarding a plurality of animated movements in memory. Each animated movement may be mapped to one or more skeletal-based body parts of a game character. A recording of a plurality of user movements may be captured over a period of time. One or more body parts of the user may be identified for each captured user movement. It may then be determined which skeletal-based body parts correspond to the identified body parts of the user. A custom animation may be generated that comprises a plurality of animated movements in which the determined skeletal-based body parts are mapped to the associated animated movement. The custom animation may be stored in memory and played during play of a game as designated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Beran
  • Patent number: 10249129
    Abstract: A gaming system used in a wager-based electronic gaming machine is described. The gaming system is configured to provide picture in a picture capabilities on the electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming system can include a first gaming device and a second gaming device where the first gaming device controls the second gaming device. The first gaming device can be configured to receive data and/or communicate with an electronic gaming machine controller, a value input device and value output device. The second gaming device can be configured to receive touchscreen data from a touchscreen display and first video data from the first gaming device and second video data from the EGM controller. Under control of the first gaming device, the first video data and second video data can be output in various sizes and locations on the touchscreen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William R. Wells, Ali Saffari, Christopher Lundy, Craig A Paulsen, Andrew George Novotak, Jr., Thomas Quick
  • Patent number: 10217312
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage for identifying regions of interest on a casino gaming table. Regions of interest are locations on an image where relevant actions are typically going to occur. For example, locations of betting area region of interest and card area regions of interest are determined so that these areas can be analyzed on a video camera. The analyzed areas can then be used for things such as determining and tracking player betting amounts, determining if the game is being dealt properly (by analyzing the cards dealt to determine if the proper cards are dealt and/or the proper payouts are made).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: VISUALIMITS, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan McClellan, Brett Tinling, Robin Groenevelt
  • Patent number: 10217318
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is described a computer-implemented method comprising: determining locations of a plurality of electronic gaming machines through communications between the electronic gaming machines and at least one wireless transmitter provided at a known location; based on the locations of the plurality of electronic gaming machines, generating a game floor map; and displaying the game floor map on a retailer terminal, the retailer terminal configured to provide management functions for the plurality of electronic gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: IGT Canada Solutions ULC
    Inventors: Bradley Boudreau, Yan Meunier
  • Patent number: 10210699
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a snap-and-click display utilized to enhance the installation of a display on an electronic gaming device. The systems and methods may allow for easier installation of a display on the electronic gaming device via a snap-and-click display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Thompson, Prashant L. Shah
  • Patent number: 10207185
    Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning a data center to service a request from a user account include receiving a login request to a cloud gaming server. The login request is examined to identify a user account. A use history of the cloud gaming server is examined to identify a data center. The user account is assigned to the data center to start a session of streaming game play at a server within the data center. The data center is identified without performing a connection testing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Jason Gustafson, Ryan Hamilton Breed
  • Patent number: 10176674
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electronic interaction comprising a display for presenting a grid of identifying objects, an input for receiving a player selection of an identifying object, a random generator for randomly selecting a winning identifying object, and a point tally system for awarding points to the player according to the rules comprising a first point value if the player selected identifying object exactly matches the winning identifying object, a second point value if the player selected identifying object is in a geometric relationship with the winning identifying object, and a third, negative, point value if the player is not awarded the first point value or the second point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 10175033
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for accurately determining the point of impact of a bullet on a shooting disc or target plane and optionally the position of the shooter, wherein a number of light curtains are used for registering time instants of the passage of the bullet projectile through predetermined light planes by detecting the shadow cast by the bullet. Differences between the measured times and/or the measured times themselves are then used for calculating the velocity of the bullet and the points at which the trajectory of the bullet intersects the light planes and the target plane, which may be arranged or located behind or in front of the target disc/target disc arrangement of the system having the particular pattern of light curtains, allowing for the calculation of the centre impact point of the bullet on the shooting disc or target plane in 3D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MEGALINK AS
    Inventors: Leif Erik Bakken, Pål Bakken
  • Patent number: 10147281
    Abstract: A gaming system which employs a plurality of randomly generated stacks of symbols, wherein a stack of symbols includes a plurality of related symbols positioned adjacent to each other. If a symbol stack modification event occurs, the gaming system modifies a plurality of such symbols not included in any stack of symbols into a stack of symbols. The gaming system then evaluates the displayed symbols (including this newly formed stack of symbols) for any additional awards to provide to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Troy Zurawski, T. Grant Bolling, Jr., Brant Frazee
  • Patent number: 10102714
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Timothy Allan Page, Christopher T. Lundy, William R. Wells
  • Patent number: 10096203
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is described a computer-implemented method of configuring timeout values for an electronic gaming system. The electronic gaming system includes an electronic gaming machine and a first host coupled to the electronic gaming machine through a network. The method includes: receiving a command to initiate timeout calibration through an input interface associated with the electronic gaming system; and in response to receiving the command: i) sending a plurality of test messages between the electronic gaming machine and the first host; ii) determining transmission times for the test messages; iii) based on the determined transmission times, automatically determining one or more timeout values; and iv) configuring one or both of the electronic gaming machine and the first host based on the determined timeout values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: IGT Canada Solutions ULC
    Inventors: Bradley Boudreau, Yan Meunier
  • Patent number: 10086293
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates to multi-user online gaming systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that enable customizable teams for online active games. In an embodiment, the system includes an online game session server system communicatively coupled to a network for access by a plurality of users to establish a plurality of real-time interactive games sessions, wherein each game session includes at least one team and wherein the at least one team may be established in accordance with a preferred composition defined by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: RIOT GAMES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lin, Tom Cadwell
  • Patent number: 10071315
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a content providing method for a content providing server to provide contents to client terminals via a network. The method includes: obtaining play data indicating progress conditions of a computer game progressing according to user operation on the client terminals; evaluating game plays by each predetermined evaluation item on a basis of the play data; obtaining data of a moving image of a game play extracted according to an evaluation result; and distributing the data of the moving image to the client terminals via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watari, Nobuaki Tanaka, Toshiharu Sayano, Toshiya Ikenaga
  • Patent number: 10026263
    Abstract: A skill level initiated interleaved wagering system is disclosed, including: an interactive controller configured to: communicate an application telemetry communication comprising application telemetry; scan an application resource instruction; and scan a wager outcome communication; a wager controller constructed to: scan a wager instruction; generate the wager outcome; communicate, to the application controller, the wager outcome communication comprising the wager outcome; and the application controller operatively connecting the interactive controller and the wager controller and constructed to: determine an application level change, wherein the application level is associated with a user; generate the wager instruction comprising one or more wager parameters used in determining wager outcomes; communicate, to the wager controller, the wager instruction; scan the wager outcome communication from the wager controller; generate the application resource instruction comprising application resources; communicat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 9984535
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a fantasy competition, in which the method includes determining a set of real-world players eligible for scoring in a fantasy competition; assigning a value for each of the real-world players; determining a salary cap for the fantasy competition; randomly assigning real-world players to a team roster; performing a draft in which the participants select real-world players who were not randomly assigned to a team roster; randomly assigning one or more real-world players to a taxi squad; receiving an indication of the real-world players assigned to the active roster; determining whether the combined value of the real-world players assigned to the active roster exceeds the salary cap; and performing a fantasy competition in which a score for each team roster associated with a participant is based on the performance, in one or more real-world events, of the real-world players assigned to the active roster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: James M. Odom
  • Patent number: 9950256
    Abstract: A device comprising a High Dimensional Touch Parameter (HDTP) touch capability that can selectively function, as desired by the user, as one or more of a game controller that connects to a game console via network connections, an independent portable/mobile game device with limited but sufficient capacity of processor/memory, a controller for a game console connected remotely through the internet and or a storage device/media player that can store gaming history, personal information, or media files. In an embodiment the device comprises at least one processor for executing at least one algorithm, the algorithm including at least a game, at least one touch sensor providing real-time tactile information to at least one algorithm, the algorithm implementing at least on HDTP function, and at least one networking element configured to network the device to at least the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NRI R&D PATENT LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Seung E. Lim
  • Patent number: 9947172
    Abstract: A game machine includes a display device that displays a game screen in which virtual reels formed by symbols are arranged so as to correspond one-to-one to cells as symbol stop positions. And, a game machine determines the symbol to stop in each cell through drawing, and controls a movement to change the symbol and a stop of the movement for each virtual reel based on a drawing result. Furthermore, a game machine determines a number of specific symbols that stop in the cells, and controls a movement of each virtual reel, which causes the specific symbols to appear in the cells, as one virtual reel group and a stop of the movement in units of virtual reel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Hidetomo Yamashita, Hayato Mizue, Hiromitsu Negishi
  • Patent number: 9928681
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring customer activities within a casino enterprise can be used to determine a current utilization of casino activities so that the casino can offer an optimal mixture of activities. Further, the system can identify customers (whose loyalty a casino enterprise may wish to cultivate) based on their utilization of the activities. The monitoring system can passively track portable wireless devices and associate the portable wireless devices with activities within the casino enterprise that are not attributable to customers registered in a loyalty program. The person controlling a particular portable device can be unknown. A virtual customer account can be created where the first portable device is used to identify a virtual customer associated with the account. Based upon identification of the first portable device, activities can be associated with the virtual customer and store to the virtual customer account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven G. LeMay, Jr., Dwayne R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9925462
    Abstract: A drill unit 111 expands a dungeon based on a parameter in two directions from the starting point X and selects a start S and a goal G from each area expanded in two directions. Thus, it is possible to generate a path from the start S to the goal G passing through the starting point X. Moreover, it is possible to determine a board form of the whole dungeon by determining expanding directions with the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 9922575
    Abstract: A vicarious coaching method included generating a plurality of play selection user interfaces associated with a first team playing football against a second team, The play selection user interfaces include a first play selection user interface corresponding to a first play parameter and indicating a plurality of first play parameter options. The first play selection user interface is generated based on historical data indicative of previous plays executed by the first team. Responsive to receiving user inputs to the plurality of play selection user interfaces, a play called by the user is identified. Responsive to obtaining play identification information indicative of a play executed by the first team and a result of the play executed, the play called by the user is then scored based on the play executed by the first team and the result of the play executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Edward Coiner