Patents Examined by Chase Leichliter
  • Patent number: 10232255
    Abstract: A paddle accessory includes a blade, a sensor-activation feature extending from the blade, and a mounting interface spaced apart from the sensor-activation feature. The blade is sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The mounting interface is configured to selectively mate with a pivot of a game controller to removably affix the paddle accessory to the game controller. The paddle accessory is configured to rotate relative to the pivot to translate a touch force applied to the blade into an actuation force applied by the sensor-activation feature to a paddle-actuatable sensor interior an aperture of the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway, Aaron Schmitz, Jason Victor Tsai, Christopher H. Kujawski
  • Patent number: 10232254
    Abstract: A game controller includes a grip, one or more finger-actuatable controls on the grip, and a rim located on the grip. The rim defines an aperture. The game controller further includes a paddle-actuatable sensor accessible through the aperture and a pivot spaced apart from the aperture. The pivot is configured to removably affix a selected paddle accessory to the game controller and to translate a touch applied to the selected paddle accessory outside of the aperture to an actuation of the paddle-actuatable sensor inside the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway, Aaron Schmitz, Jason Victor Tsai, Christopher H. Kujawski
  • Patent number: 10220318
    Abstract: A system and method for generating individual player bases in a virtual space using markup information are disclosed. Player base definitions specific individual players may be managed. The player base definitions may indicate boundaries of player bases in the virtual space, a base type for the player bases, and/or any other information related to the player bases. Player base markup information may be obtained for a given player base type. The obtained player base markup information may indicate, in a markup language format, building information regarding one or more default buildings within a player base having the given base type. Individual player bases may be generated in the virtual space base on the boundaries of the player bases as indicated in the player base definitions associated with the individual players and further based on the player base markup information for the base type of the player bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Justin Rhinesmith, Christopher Vukicevich
  • Patent number: 10188939
    Abstract: A modular assembly system is described which enables interaction with an interactive software experience such as a game. The system enables a coherent physical whole object to be assembled from a core module and one or more peripheral modules. The core module includes a battery, processor and a wireless module which is able to communicate with the interactive software experience which runs on a separate computing device such as a smartphone, tablet or games console. Each of the peripheral modules stores a module ID and these IDs are collected by the core module and communicated to the interactive software experience. The user experience within the interactive software experience changes dependent upon the set of modules which are connected to form the coherent physical whole object and may also be altered as a result of manipulation of the coherent physical whole object or individual modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Struan Andrew Robertson, Jonathan Leslie Venables, Thomas James Mejias Stott, Sandeep Bhara, Navtej Sunner
  • Patent number: 10192406
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a screen activity moderated skill wagering interleaved game are disclosed. A screen activity moderated skill wagering game is provides an entertainment game and a gambling game. The entertainment game is provided by an entertainment system and is managed by a game world operating system. The gambling game is provided by a real credit operating system. The screen activity moderated skill wagering interleaved game also provides screen activity moderation to adjust gambling activity within the gambling game based on the level of screen activity within the entertainment game. During periods of high intensity game play within the entertainment game, the screen activity moderated skill wagering interleaved game in some embodiments adjusts the gambling activity within the gambling game inversely based on the level of screen activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Frank Cire, Scott Shimmin, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10173137
    Abstract: First, at least a player object and a non-player object are placed in a virtual three-dimensional space. Next, the player object is moved based on an input from predetermined operation means. Subsequently, current position data is obtained which indicates the current position, in the virtual three-dimensional space, of the player object which has been moved. Based on the current position data, the orientation of the non-player object is controlled such that a predetermined plane of the non-player object faces the current position of the player object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamada, David Pollatsek
  • Patent number: 10173132
    Abstract: A portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive display screen and a variety of input devices. The input devices can include shoulder buttons located on a peripheral side surface of the main body, as well as input devices located on the main body adjacent the touch-sensitive display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshino, Keizo Ohta, Yoshitaka Yasumoto, Kenji Nishida, Kenichi Sugino, Masato Ibuki
  • Patent number: 10166482
    Abstract: A method of operating a screen baseball system includes registering a personal rank of a user by a game management unit, displaying a pitching motion on a screen and starting a pitching action according to a selected pitch type, performing a simulation along a trajectory of a batted ball converted from batting detection data of a batter among users, and displaying an image on the screen by the game management unit, photographing a batting image of the batter and storing the batting image in a database by a game photographing unit such that the batting image is utilized for user training and character development programs, and transmitting simulation information and batting image data displayed, to a game shop, in which another user is positioned, in real time by a game server to play a game on line if the another user is positioned in a remote place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: REALYAGU ZONE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Jin Lee, Han-Jo Kwon, Hyoung-Gon Kim
  • Patent number: 10155162
    Abstract: Provided is a game system which can suppress flooding of game stages which cannot be cleared, while suppressing a limitation on occasions in which another user(s) play(s) a game stage created by a particular user. The game system includes a game stage creating section for creating a game stage in response to a user's manipulation; an uncleared game stage management section for managing the game stage as an uncleared game stage; a play executing section for executing test play of the uncleared game stage; and a cleared game stage management section for managing the uncleared game stage having been cleared in test play as a cleared game stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tobuto Dezaki, Yoshitake Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10150035
    Abstract: Video game processing apparatuses, media, and methods are provided for controlling progress of a video game. Player character related information is stored in a memory and changes in accordance with progress of the video game. Initial area information is stored in the memory and indicates an initial state of each of a plurality of areas. Updated area information is stored in the memory and indicates a progress status of the video game in each of the areas. The updated area information is updated in accordance with the progress of the video game. It is determined whether to use the initial area information or the updated area information corresponding to a selected area in response to an operation of the player character. The game is progressed in the selected area using a corresponding one of the initial area information and the updated area information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventor: Yoshiki Kashitani
  • Patent number: 10099124
    Abstract: An object control section according to one embodiment moves a player object in a virtual space according to an operation performed by a user. When the player object has reached a predetermined position in the virtual space by the operation performed by the user, the object control section issues a read instruction to a communication control section. The communication control section transmits radio wave to a storage medium when receiving the read instruction. When the radio wave is received, electromotive force is generated in the storage medium, and information stored in the storage medium is read by an information processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Amano, Aya Kyogoku
  • Patent number: 10083569
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises: a gaming machine body; a recessed portion formed on the gaming machine body, being recessed from a front side to a back side of the gaming machine body, and having an inner side surface, the inner side surface being a reflective surface; and a reflective object at least partially positioned in a space defined by the recessed portion, and formed with a reflected image by means of the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukie Takahashi, Takahiro Yoshino, Koichi Tomita
  • Patent number: 10076711
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and media for broadcasting a network game to a plurality of game spectators are provided. Game players are connected to a game server for participating in the network game. The game server executes a game program and generates game information for progressing the network game. A rendering server receives the game information from the game server, generates a player game screen for each of the game players, and generates a spectator game screen for the game spectators. The player game screen is transmitted to each of the game players for display by the game players. The spectator game screen is transmitted to a broadcaster, and the broadcaster transmits the spectator game screen to a display interface via a network. The display interface is accessible by each of the game spectators for viewing the spectator game screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Philippe Malenfant
  • Patent number: 10068421
    Abstract: A server may provide activities and/or services through a first device. To verify whether the first device is communicating with the server, a value may be determined and sent to the first device, via the server. The value may be sent in response to receiving a request/command from a second device, and may be determined using another value received from the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventor: Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 10022593
    Abstract: A basketball configured for organized, competitive play and having a total mass. The basketball includes an inflatable, generally spherical bladder, a set of winding surrounding the bladder, an elastomeric layer surrounding the set of windings and the bladder, and a plurality of cover panels positioned over the elastomeric layer. The bladder has a bladder mass that is greater than 25 percent of the total mass. The elastomeric layer and the set of windings have a collective mass that is less than 55 percent of the total mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L Krysiak, Jonathan L. Bauer, Frank M. Simonutti, Daniel E. Hare, Robert T. Thurman
  • Patent number: 9987550
    Abstract: Unique lottery tickets and/or systems for providing and/or participating in a lottery. In other embodiments, methods of administering and/or participating in a lottery. In at least one embodiment, a lottery integrated with a television or web broadcast, website, or other broadcast or publication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MULTILOT AS
    Inventors: Reidar Magnus Nordby, Finn Harald Andreassen, Nikolai Fasting
  • Patent number: 9901801
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium to direct a processor to: receive first signals indicating a made basketball shot or a missed basketball shot by a first person during a first basketball shooting session, receive second signals indicating a made basketball shot or a missed basketball shot by a second person during a second basketball shooting session, track a number of made basketball shots by the first person and the second person, and output an indicator of a relationship of the number of made basketball shots by the first person to the number of made basketball shots by the second person at least after each made shot by of the second person while the second person is partaking in the second basketball shooting session producing the second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, Kevin L. Krysiak, David J. Proeber, Allen G. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9892598
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that offers wider applicability and more enjoyment. To this end, a slot machine 1 configured to run a normal game and a free game which develops from the normal game, includes a storage device storing a free game payout table and a normal game payout table, wherein a maximum payout obtainable in the normal game is higher than a maximum payout obtainable in the free game, and a chance of winning the maximum payout in the normal game is higher than a chance of winning the maximum payout in the free game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Susumu Mio, Kazunori Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 9891743
    Abstract: An input device making little false sensing is provided. An input device capable of outputting a signal in which input data in a plurality of regions are combined is provided. The input device includes a first region and a second region which are provided so as to face each other. The input device includes a means for obtaining first positional data input to the first region, a means for obtaining second positional data input to the second region, a means for converting the second positional data into third positional data, a means for obtaining fourth positional data, and a means for outputting a signal in accordance with the fourth positional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 9884250
    Abstract: The invention has for object a game controller having an actuator (2, 102) mobile in rotation in relation to a fixed part (3, 103), in such a way as to simulate a control of the rotation of a steering column of a simulated vehicle. According to the invention, the game controller implements means for detecting the displacement in rotation of the actuator (2, 102) comprising at least one Hall effect or magnetoresistive effect detecting unit, constituted of at least two elements, of which a permanent magnet and a magnetic sensor (24, 124). At least during the rotation of the actuator (2, 102), a first element is integral in rotation with the actuator (2, 102) and a second element is integral in rotation with said fixed part (3, 103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Guillemot Corporation S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Jaouen