Patents Examined by Damon J. Pierce
  • Patent number: 12288448
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for game play using virtual players, sometimes referred to herein as vBots, where they may have images including those of real world personalities, such as sports personalities, is disclosed. In one aspect, a system for electronic game play involves the use of the system wherein one or more virtual players are displayed to the player of the game, preferably, the virtual players have differing play characteristics, receiving from the user association with a selection of a virtual player, displaying a simulated game using the virtual players, identifying a subset of the virtual players as being winners of the simulated game, and awarding a win to the lottery user if the selected virtual player is in the subset of virtual players. In one aspect, a team may be formed in which real life sports personalities images are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 12283161
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 12263405
    Abstract: First display data is received to enable display of a video of a virtual space including a first character, which moves in cooperation with a behavior of a performer. A video is displayed in which the first character behaves in the virtual space on the basis of the first display data. The first character is associated with a prescribed first object, and a display mode of the first object is changed in accordance with a predetermined rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: COLOPL, INC.
    Inventors: Naruatsu Baba, Junya Fukushige
  • Patent number: 12254230
    Abstract: A system includes a head-mountable display (HMD) configured to receive one or more signals via a wired connection with an external device, processing circuitry to generate an output indicative of at least one of a predicted disconnect event and a detected disconnect event for the wired connection, and control circuitry to instruct one or more operations to be performed by the HMD in response to the generated output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Calum Armstrong, Mark Jacobus Breugelmans, Maurizio Cerrato, Philip Cockram
  • Patent number: 12251633
    Abstract: Provided is a program for a game where a plurality of players battle against a common enemy character, the program causing a computer to execute: storing an enemy common parameter in a storage device commonly to a plurality of items of player identification information; storing enemy next-action information so as to be individually associated with each of the items of the player identification information; executing an action of a player character based on an accepted command input; updating the enemy common parameter on the basis of the action of the player character; executing an action of the enemy character based on the enemy next-action information that is stored in association with the player identification information; deciding as enemy next action on the basis of the enemy common parameter; and updating the enemy next-action information that is associated with the player identifier, based on the decided enemy next action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: CYGAMES, INC.
    Inventors: Keita Ueda, Tatsuya Hasegawa, Makoto Akashio
  • Patent number: 12246256
    Abstract: The present invention is to, on a basis of data including information capable of specifying a motion input by a performer who plays a character arranged in a virtual space and a speech of the performer, produce a behavior of the character, to enable the character viewed from a predetermined point of view in the virtual space to display on a predetermined display unit, and to enable a sound depending on the speech of the performer to output. A behavior of a mouth of the character in the virtual space is controlled based on the data, a next facial expression to be taken as the facial expression of the character is specified in accordance with a predetermined rule, and switching control is performed on the facial expression of the character in the virtual space to the facial expression, which is specified by the step of specifying, with lapse of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: COLOPL, INC.
    Inventor: Junya Fukushige
  • Patent number: 12239900
    Abstract: A control assembly is adapted for an electronic device and includes two controllers and a link mechanism, the two controllers are configured to be removably installed on the electronic device, the link mechanism includes a retractable mechanism receptacle and two flexible parts, the two controllers are connected to the retractable mechanism receptacle respectively via the two flexible parts, and at least part of each of the two flexible parts is retractably accommodated in the retractable mechanism receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: DEXIN CORP.
    Inventor: Ho Lung Lu
  • Patent number: 12232570
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. A control device included in the article can be configured to allow manual control of a system by a user. A lockout feature that can disable manual control may be included. During periods of competitive activity, the manual controls may be disabled to allow a user wearing the article to engage in different activities without inadvertent activation of a system. In some cases, the control device and lockout feature can be used in conjunction with a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: 12236753
    Abstract: Gaming machines and systems are configured to distribute of viral events, such as viral gaming events, amongst devices. The devices can present the viral events. The devices can, for example, be gaming machines and/or mobile devices. According to one embodiment, once a viral event is triggered, it is presented at one or more first devices at a first time. The viral event spreads to other devices, such as one or more second devices where it can be presented at a later time. The viral event may continue to spread to numerous other devices. Feedback or metrics may be used to control the devices to which the viral event spreads and/or the rate of spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12233346
    Abstract: A computerized method and processing system provides for supplementing multiplayer video game gameplay. The method and system includes detecting a user disengaging from the multiplayer video game gameplay prior to a completion of a gameplay contest. The method and system further includes engaging the user in a mini-game computing event concurrent with the gameplay contest. If the user achieves a positive outcome in the mini-game computing event, the method and system presents the user with at least one gaming asset usable within the gameplay contest and updates the user account data relating to the gaming asset. Herein, the method and system continues to engage game players not active in the multiplayer contest via mini-games and allowed them to earn additional in-game rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: IllFonic Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Garcia, Jared Gerritzen
  • Patent number: 12226704
    Abstract: A method for virtual object control in a game application includes detecting a first virtual resource transfer operation when a distance between a first virtual object and a first virtual obstacle is less than or equal to a first predetermined distance threshold. The first virtual object is located in a first virtual region, the first virtual obstacle is in a first locked state that prevents the first virtual object from entering a second virtual region. Then, the method includes switching the first virtual obstacle from the first locked state to a first unlocked state that allows the first virtual object to enter the second virtual region based on a reduction of virtual resources from the first virtual object. Then, the method includes controlling the first virtual object to enter the second virtual region when a first control operation is detected. Apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium counterpart embodiments are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zhihong Liu
  • Patent number: 12226699
    Abstract: Systems and methods for prioritizing content packets based on a dynamically updated list of content filtering rules are described. A system is configured to identify an application executing on a client device to which to transmit content, the application associated with an account and determine that the application is configured with a configuration setting to apply a content filtering policy corresponding to a list of players including one or more players included in one or more lineups associated with the account. The system can receive a content item from a content source and determine one or more player tags associated with the content item. The system can determine that the content item includes a player tag corresponding to a player included in the list of players and transmit the content item to the client device for insertion in a content feed provided by the application responsive to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: DK Crown Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Nguyen, Daniel Kesack, William Hester, Sophie Dasinger, Edward Zaleski, Ethan Haskell, Corey Shtasel-Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 12220636
    Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for targeting an object in a game. The method of targeting an object in a game includes: setting a center point of a first targeting area based on a first input from a user; displaying the first targeting area surrounded by a closed curve around the center point on a screen of a user terminal; displaying a list including at least one object located in the first targeting area on the screen; and moving the first targeting area based on a second input by the user received after the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: NCSOFT Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ku Kang, Kyung Hwan Kim, Jong Soo Kim, Sung Heun Bae, Won Jong Son, Hwan Eui Yang, Yong Ki Lee, Su Jae Lim, Sung Won Jang, Woo Young Cho, Won Min Choi, Jung Rok Choi
  • Patent number: 12201903
    Abstract: A computerized method for facilitating execution of an interactive live game by a processor of a game server, is provided. The method includes receiving a request of a player to participate in an interactive live game; executing an interactive game; based on the executed game, transmitting, to a video processor, game display data and virtual reality data, the virtual reality data including data pertaining a virtual reality environment comprising at least two themes. Based on the executed game, transmitting game events, thereby facilitating the player's device to create a composited video stream comprising a live game video stream captured in a live studio in which an operator operating a mobile activation button, and data that pertains to the generated game events. In response to receiving an input from the mobile activation button, game server transmits transition data indicative of switching between the at least two themes in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYTECH SOFTWARE LIMITED
    Inventors: Artis Apsitis, Edo Haitin
  • Patent number: 12201908
    Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Michael de Plater, Christopher Herman Hoge, Robert Kenyon Hull Roberts, Daniel Paul Valerius, Rocky Albert Newton, Kevin Leslie Stephens
  • Patent number: 12198500
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing durational promotions to players in an online game. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in a slot machine type of game once the player's content drops below a predetermined threshold so that the player will experience some substantial winning in the initial period. The system may adjust the outcome probabilities of winning in the slot machine type of game for a period of time once a player has purchased content to continue to play the game. This may temporarily adjusting outcome probabilities within the game in favor of a player that has recently made a purchase. This may facilitate positive player experiences subsequent to making purchases, thereby increasing further purchases and/or the likelihood thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Harmanpal Dhaliwal
  • Patent number: 12190685
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 12179099
    Abstract: A method for gaming. The method includes receiving an audio command used for controlling game play of a video game for a player, wherein the audio command originates from the player. The method includes providing the audio command to an artificial intelligence (AI) model trained to normalize one or more sounds of the player to one or more expected sounds of the video game. The method includes normalizing the audio command using the AI model to control the game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Sarah Karp
  • Patent number: 12179121
    Abstract: The proposed invention relates to a system for electronic dice, i.e., those devices which are in practice used for board games and parlour games with the support of electronic components. The invention comprises a hardware structure for the tracking and remote transmission of the result of the roll of a die adaptable and usable for various types of dice and, if necessary, transferable between different dice casings heterogeneous in shape, functions and mode of use; said structure being programmable to automatically recognize and adapt to the different shape and type of dice in which it is applied and being conveniently applicable for simultaneous and multiple rolls and for further processing of the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: XPLORED S.R.L.
    Inventor: Enrico Garofalo
  • Patent number: 12161933
    Abstract: 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 in the same manner as a conventional controller (1). Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise the same controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) as a conventional controller (1). The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises two additional controls (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) located on the rear of the controller (10) in a position to be operated by the middle fingers of a user (12). The additional controllers (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) may be paddle levers and may replicate the functions of one or more of the controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) located on the front or top of the controller (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger