Patents Examined by Jason Yen
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Patent number: 9349249Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate an anti-sandbagging hybrid game. One embodiment includes an anti-sandbagging hybrid game, including: a gambling game; an entertainment game; a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment game and communicate gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that trigger randomly generated payouts for the gambling game to the gambling game; and an anti-sandbagging module constructed to: receive player performance measurements for at least one player from the game world engine; assign an anti-sandbagging provision to the at least one player based at least in part upon the performance measurements for the at least one player from the game world engine; and send information concerning the anti-sandbagging provision to the game world engine that configures the game world engine to implement the assigned anti-sandbagging provision within the anti-sandbagging hybrid game.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLCInventors: Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
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Patent number: 9341526Abstract: A system for determining power expended by a bicyclist while riding a bicycle based on speed measurements or sensed-speed values. The system includes a sensing device arranged for detecting a speed-related value of the bicycle and a processor that communicates with the sensing device. The processor is configured to determine a change in the speed-related value and to determine a power value based on the change in the speed-related value.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin R. Bass, Edward M. Watson, Jesse Bartholomew, Jeffery T. Iverson
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Patent number: 9333427Abstract: A minimum of one Master Block and one or more Activity Blocks connected (via “wireless or wired transmission”) to a System (the “electronic device”) for a digital and non-digital game, experience, or other engaging activity. Master Blocks can communicate with a System, and can connect to many Activity Blocks. Activity Blocks can communicate with Master Blocks. Furthermore, when multiple Activity Blocks are connected to a single Master Block, they create physical relationships between each other that the Master Block can detect and process and/or relay to the System as a form of input for whatever process the System is running. A user can interact with the System by manipulating the relationships between Activity Blocks and the Master Block.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Digital Dream Labs, LLCInventors: Justin Sabo, Matthew Stewart, Peter Borman Kinney
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Patent number: 9333412Abstract: Disclosed are a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method in which a golf ball hit by a user who swings at the golf ball is sensed by a sensing device, and the trajectory of the golf ball is simulated on a virtual golf course based on the sensed result so that the user can enjoy virtual golf on the virtual golf course, thereby providing the same sense of reality that the user would feel playing a round of golf on a real golf course.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: GOLFZON CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyung Wook Jang, Hyun Dam Jeong, Hyun Jin Park, Hyung Sik Yoon
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Patent number: 9333419Abstract: Input information that selects one card among five cards that are arranged in one direction in a predetermined area of a game screen is received, and a player character is caused to make a motion corresponding to the selected card. When three cards to which an identical attribute is assigned are adjacently disposed in the predetermined area, the three cards are replaced with one card to which the same attribute as that of the three cards is assigned, but which differs in type from the three cards, the card positioned in the rightward direction relative to the replaced cards is shifted in the leftward direction, and an additional two cards are disposed in the space formed by shifting the card.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.Inventors: Masataka Shimono, Shuntaro Watanabe, Takamasa Kato, Miki Tomisawa, Norimasa Matsuura
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Patent number: 9336652Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9336650Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting a side bet in a game include receiving side bet parameters that control how the side bet is conducted. The side bet parameters may include a specified in-game event. Gameplay of the game by participants of the side bet may be monitored to determine whether the in-game event has occurred for one of the participants. If so, funds associated with the side bet may be apportioned to the winning participant.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Toby F. Naylor, Jerry L. Byrd, Shad G. Clingingsmith, John E. Thieltges, Tyson C. Joehler, Kyle A. Larson, Tom W. Kleckner, Steven K. Lundberg
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Patent number: 9333409Abstract: Disclosed are a virtual golf simulation apparatus in which an image of a ball hit by a user using virtual golf simulation, who swings a golf club to hit the ball, is acquired, and the ball is found from the acquired image to calculate the moving trajectory of the ball, thereby realizing a simulation image of the trajectory of the ball, and, particularly, in which the two-dimensional trajectory of ball candidates, determined as a ball, in an image acquired by the camera is analyzed to accurately and rapidly extract the ball, thereby accurately and rapidly calculating information on physical properties of the moving ball even using a camera having a low resolution and velocity, and a sensing device and method used for the same.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: GOLFZON CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyung Wook Jang, Hyun Jin Park, Hyung Sik Yoon, Hyun Dam Jeong
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Patent number: 9314693Abstract: A reference strength (P) is set at a game device (10) as a received signal strength enabling stable communication in a range in which radio waves reach from a wireless relay device (20) (radio wave coverage range), and permits a game play at a portable terminal (30), for which the received signal strength reaches the set reference strength (P). Thus, it is possible to permit players in an area satisfying store manager's wishes to perform remote play under a stable communication environment, without being influenced by a decrease in an effective communication speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Shogo Azuma, Hirokatsu Yamaguchi, Hiroki Nakasato, Kenta Ito, Takashi Uchiyama
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Patent number: 9311787Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display for displaying a first array of game symbols for playing a game and two or more second arrays of game enhancing elements, said second arrays being associated with columns of said first array. In response to a trigger event occurring in the columns, the second arrays each randomly award one or more game enhancing elements. A gaming method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology LimitedInventor: Jason Meyer
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Patent number: 9308454Abstract: Execution of a software product in an electronic device providing a war strategy game provides a rendering of a map including a landing area and enemy territory, a first set of selectable graphical objects including selectable troop transportation units, detection of a selection of a troop transportation unit and deployment point on the landing area; and execution of a rendering of the selected troop transportation unit to a free space on the landing area in proximity of the deployment point. A troop is moved from the selected troop transportation unit along a route towards the enemy territory. A second set of selectable graphical objects including flash fire devices is rendered. Selection of a flash fire device and fire point in the enemy territory is detected. Operation of the flash fire device on the fire point is executed and the troop is moved towards the fire point.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Supercell OYInventors: Jon Franzas, Timur Haussila, Touko Tahkokallio
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Patent number: 9293006Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a gaming process that is a feature event. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a gaming process is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a gaming process win value. At Step S7 the gaming process win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, a bonus prize is awarded to the player at Step S9.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Dynamite Services Pty LimitedInventor: Benjamin James Ellis
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Patent number: 9286760Abstract: A method of gaming comprises initiating a jackpot event responsive to receiving an event trigger; determining whether to award a prize to a player in the jackpot event, the probability of awarding the prize in the jackpot event being dependent on a value of a jackpot evaluation parameter accumulated over a plurality of games; and awarding the prize in response to making a positive determination.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITEDInventor: Antoon Christiaan Visser
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Patent number: 9286749Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes; a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and is a display displaying an effect image regarding a game; a lamp body which is three-dimensionally formed and is a formed object provided on the cabinet to protrude toward the front surface as compared to at least the lower end of the upper image display panel; a sensor configured to detect the player' gesture with respect to the lamp body; a controller used to start the game, and the controller detects the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game and displays an effect image corresponding to the detected player's gesture on the upper image display panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenji Enokido, Kou Kobayashi, Hiroki Nakamura
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Patent number: 9286759Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described. In some embodiments, the operations include detecting an indication of a benefit available to a first player account via a wagering game venue; and selecting a second player account linked to the first player account as a social contact. The operations can further include configuring a persistent object to provide access to the benefit available to the first player account; and transferring the persistent object from the first player account to the second player account.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Andrew C. Guinn, Travis N. Nelson, Richard B. Robbins, Danijel Stankovic, John R. Werneke
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Patent number: 9275523Abstract: A gaming system including a game which utilizes one or more designated symbols. In these embodiments, if at least one single individual designated symbol is generated and displayed at at least one single symbol display position, the gaming system modifies the single individual designated symbol into one or more individual designated symbols at the same single symbol display position. This modification of an individual designated symbol into a plurality of individual designated symbols is associated with one or more benefits, such as the availability of one or more awards not previously available prior to the modification.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: William Keith Hughes, Kelsy J. Grace
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Patent number: 9269226Abstract: A progressive prize method for a group of linked gaming machines includes maintaining both a respective local progressive pool for each respective gaming machine in the group and a group progressive pool shared among the group of gaming machines. A local progressive prize trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from a local progressive pool and a separate group progressive trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from the group progressive pool. The group progressive trigger may be based on a count of local progressive prizes that have been awarded. Thus a local progressive trigger may ultimately result in the award of a progressive prize from the group progressive pool rather than the respective local progressive pool.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Inventors: Bradley Johnson, Keith Riggs, Jim McHugh, Clint Owen, Brian Watkins, J P Cody
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Patent number: 9254436Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for presenting Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in an online game. In one method, a player becomes a “regular” visitor of a friend when the player visits the friend a predetermined amount of times within a certain period (e.g., three times within the last seven days). When a player becomes a regular visitor, the player may obtain items (e.g., pepper) that are not obtainable in any other way. As long as a player is a regular visitor, the player may continue visiting the friend to continue obtaining the special items. However, if the player falls below the threshold of visits required within the period, the status of regular visitor is lost by the player, and the player may regain the regular status by meeting the requirement again.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Jason Fox, Michael Starbird, Steve Klinkner
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Patent number: 9251648Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a host gaming server, notifications of account logins from a number of wagering game machines from at least one wagering game establishment. The method includes receiving, at the host gaming server, messages from multiple messaging sources that comprise at least one of a social networking website, a microblogging website, and at least some of the number of wagering game machines, wherein the messages comprise messages related to activity at the at least one wagering game establishment that include game play at the number of wagering game machines and messages related to activity external to the at least one wagering game establishment. The method includes aggregating, by the host gaming server, the messages from the multiple messaging sources. The method includes filtering, by the host gaming server, the messages for each of the account logins to create filtered messages.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Edward Q. Earley, Jacob C. Greenberg, Michael R. Rudel
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Patent number: 9248373Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, through at least one input device, an indication of an activity by a first user on a first gaming user account from a first computer implemented gaming system. A communication can be sent to a computer implemented social network system causing the computer implemented social network system to display a notification based on the indication of the activity by the first user in the first computer implemented gaming system. The communication can include information enabling the computer implemented social network system to affiliate the indication of the activity by the first user with a first social network user account belonging to the first user. The first gaming user account and the first social network user account can be different user accounts.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Demiurge Studios, Inc.Inventor: Albert J. Reed