Patents Examined by Eric M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9908039
    Abstract: A system and method for providing offers to facilitate users to complete active game actions in a game space are disclosed. Offers to forego a group of pending wait periods of active game actions may be generated and presented to the users at the same time or near the same time along with offers to forego these pending wait periods individually and separately. In some examples, for incentivizing the users to accept the offer to forego the group of pending wait periods, a discount may be determined for these offers with respect to the offers to forego the group of pending wait periods individually and separately. In some examples, selection of the group of pending wait periods may be made based on likelihoods as to whether the users will spend stored consideration to forego the group of pending wait periods individually and separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Rull, Luc Pieron, Kevin Simmons, Jay Jodway
  • Patent number: 9910850
    Abstract: A system and method for translating a phrase for video game development for games to be made available in a plurality of natural languages is disclosed. The method includes determining that code for a video game being developed has been created or modified. The method further includes inspecting the code to determine whether a phrase to be displayed or to be spoken during game play is present therein, wherein the phrase comprises a plurality of words. The method further includes comparing the entire phrase to a collection of phrases for which one or more translations to another natural language are already available, and if an exact match is determined, then reusing the one or more available translations for one or more corresponding languages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadashi George Sakashita, Bruce Gifford, Jonathan C. Scholtz
  • Patent number: 9895604
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9889373
    Abstract: A multilayer framework and architecture with variable video or digital gaming capabilities provides multiple levels of play, permitting players to engage in different ways. The different levels of play options include 1) a peer-to-peer competitive challenge level for “core” players, 2) a “follower” play option for players with restricted capabilities and access to portions of a game; and a 3) “bystander” play option that permits non-players in a network to either observe or play from a reactive perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CP Studios LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Wiklem, Carrie Ann Cowan
  • Patent number: 9888071
    Abstract: A system and a method for efficiently transmitting data during a team game in a CPNS environment, and a CPNS server, a mobile communication terminal, and an end-point terminal for the same. The CPNS server stores and manages information about both the end-point terminal and the mobile communication terminal, wherein the end-point terminal communicates with the mobile communication terminal through a wireless local area network and the mobile communication terminal executes the team game through the wireless local area network, and classifies and processes data to transmit only the required game-related data to the mobile communication terminal and the end-point terminal respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Hwan Kim, Jeong Hoon Lee, Jeong Min You
  • Patent number: 9858762
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a spinning reel game wherein one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. When at least one special symbol appears on the display, the special symbol is held in a superimposed representation in that position for at least one further game while at least that reel carrying the special symbol is re-spun for the at least one further game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant
  • Patent number: 9852588
    Abstract: A method of operating a gaming apparatus having a display means and a user interface in communication with a game control means. The method includes determining a selection of an outcome from at least two possible outcomes and subsequently revealing an award. An event having an event outcome is generated. Whether the award is awarded is represented as dependent on the basis of a comparison or interplay between the selected outcome and the event outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: George Roukis, Scott C. Olive
  • Patent number: 9844730
    Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a method and apparatus for providing various dance movements as input to a dancing video game. The method and apparatus may detect the hand and arm movements of a video game player and interpret those movements as inputs to the video game. The video game may then compare the dancing movements of the user to expected dance movements to determine if the correct dance movement was performed by the user. The video game may also display a video game environment that instructs and interacts with the user to perform several dance movements of the video game. In this manner, the method and apparatus may provide a more realistic and dynamic dancing video game experience than previous dancing video games that only allowed the player to press buttons as inputs to the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: C. Matthew Dawson, Emily Tyndall, Kristin Mae Yee, David Neil Christenson, Edward Gilmore Martin, James Patrick Rowe, Casey Shane Nelson, Jamison R. Titera, Paul Mombourquette, Rich Reagan
  • Patent number: 9814968
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to facilitating presentation of a combination of virtual units as a single entity during a battle in an online game. A user may be in control of and/or be associated with a first set of virtual units in the game space of the online game. Some of the virtual units of the user may be involved in a battle facilitated in the game space. A plurality of the virtual units controlled by and/or associated with the user may be combined as a single virtual entity, such that the plurality of virtual units is portrayed in the view of the game space of the online game as the single virtual entity. The attributes of the single virtual entity in the game space may be dictated by the collective set of attributes of the respective virtual units of the plurality of virtual units combined as the single virtual entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Joshua Forester, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 9805548
    Abstract: An electronic method of providing an additional player reward, the method comprising determining that a gaming session has been initiated by a player in respect of a gaming device in response to an initial establishment of gaming credits at the gaming device in response to operation of a credit input mechanism associated with the gaming device and without receiving any information identifying the player; monitoring play of the gaming device in order to determine, independently of any awards made as outcomes of wagers of gaming credits placed by the player on play of the gaming device, whether one or more characteristics of play of the gaming device entitle the player to an additional award; and making any determined additional award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Julius Patta
  • Patent number: 9795853
    Abstract: A watch can include a wrist strap, memory, an accelerometer, and a pressure sensor that responds to muscle movement at a wrist. Various other devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Theodore Weissenburger Caldwell
  • Patent number: 9789390
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an input device attachment is provided and, more specifically, for some embodiments an input device attachment is provided that is combinable with a computer or video game controller. For example, various embodiments provide attachments for handheld video gaming devices configured to control electronic devices, such handheld video gaming devices including without limitation computer controllers, video game console controllers, and handheld video gaming devices. Various embodiments of the invention comprise an attachment comprising an input mechanism that may augment an existing input mechanism of an input device or add an additional input mechanism to the input device. Additionally, some embodiments may augment an exterior structure, or a surface of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Lambert Block, Eric B. Fulghum
  • Patent number: 9786118
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a control unit quipped with a controller. The control starts the reception of bets from a plurality of stations, displays, on a dealer display, termination order images from the plurality of the stations in accordance with a lapse of a predetermined period of time from the start of the bet reception, and advances the game on the condition that a bet termination order signal is received from an operation input button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kido, Kenta Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9776085
    Abstract: An example system includes: a plurality of information processing devices each having a game processing unit for performing processing involved in a game, a reproduction data generating unit for generating reproduction data to be used for reproducing game play, a relevant information accepting unit for accepting input of relevant information concerning the reproduction data, and a post transmitting unit for transmitting reproduction data and relevant information; and a server machine having a post receiving unit for receiving reproduction data and relevant information transmitted from the information processing device, a storage unit for storing reproduction data and relevant information in association with each other, and a relevant information transmitting unit for transmitting relevant information stored in the storage unit to the information processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Shiraiwa, Kenta Sato, Shoichi Obayashi, Ryuhei Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9757654
    Abstract: Methods for assembly and management of friends for crew participation in a social gaming program. One method includes providing a game activity within the social gaming program, and the game activity is identified as gated for crew participation. The method identifies parameters for assembly of friends to complete crew participation for the game activity that is identified as gated for crew participation. Then, querying data provided by the social networking system to analyze contact data of friends that are likely for crew participation, and sending an invite message to the friends that are likely for crew participation. The friends that are accepted are added as crew members for crew participation to complete the game activity. An in-game reward for each of the friends that are part of the crew participation is generated upon detecting completion of the game activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Andres Cantor
  • Patent number: 9757652
    Abstract: An example system includes: a server machine having a storage unit for storing reproduction data involved in reproduction of game play and a data transmitting unit for transmitting reproduction data stored in the storage unit; and an information processing device having a data receiving unit for receiving reproduction data transmitted by the server machine, a reproduction processing unit for displaying reproduction of game play at a display unit in response to reproduction data received by the data receiving unit, a character display processing unit for displaying one or a plurality of character objects at the display unit during reproduction of game play by the reproduction processing unit, and a character action processing unit for causing a character object displayed by the character display processing unit to take a predetermined action with reproduction of game play by the reproduction processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichi Obayashi, Chiharu Shizukuishi, Mai Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9737812
    Abstract: A software agent interfaces with an interactive game program allowing for dynamic conveyance of objects during runtime for receiving data indicative of at least one parameter relating to a player of the interactive game program and/or to the player station on which the program is run. The data is used to set a dynamic policy that is customized on-the-fly according to the at least one parameter, and which is adapted to determine one or more objects to be conveyed to the player station for dynamically embedding in the program. The dynamic policy is also adapted to determine one or more characteristics of the object and is capable of subsequent re-customization and revision during game play. The objects are retrieved and periodically conveyed to the interactive game program based on the dynamic policy for dynamically embedding in the interactive game program to interface with the game player of the interactive game program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Sizmek Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ofer Zadikario, Ran Cohen, Yiftah Frechter, Oded Cohen, Hanit Galili, Keren Friedman
  • Patent number: 9724609
    Abstract: A method of incorporating an augmented reality video image into a virtual environment comprises detecting a state of a real-world control object captured in a video image and augmenting the video image responsive to the state of the control object. The method further includes calculating trajectory parameters for an action with respect to a local coordinate system of the video image, responsive to the state of the control object, and embedding the augmented video image within a 3D virtual environment. The method also includes calculating the trajectory parameters for the action with respect to a local co-ordinate system of the 3D virtual environment, and rendering a graphical effect corresponding to the action within the 3D virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Masami Kochi, Russell Harding, Diarmid Archibald Campbell, David Ranyard, Ian Michael Hocking
  • Patent number: 9707486
    Abstract: The APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREW MECHANICS IN MULTIPLAYER GAMES (hereinafter “CMMG”) the CMMG platform transforms in game status of a user's social content item via CMMG components into a content item with layered integration of additional content indicative of status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Andres Cantor
  • Patent number: 9682312
    Abstract: An example system includes: a reproduction processing unit for displaying reproduction of game play at a display unit on the basis of reproduction data to be used for reproducing game play; a relevant information accepting unit for accepting input of relevant information, which is relevant to game play by the reproduction processing unit, during reproduction of the game play; and a post transmitting unit for transmitting the relevant information accepted by the relevant information accepting unit to a predetermined server machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Shiraiwa, Kenta Sato