Patents Examined by Kang Hu
  • Patent number: 9597591
    Abstract: This invention provides a game apparatus for a virtual or simulation game that allows a game player to readily recognize that a game tool is improperly operated. Image display means 55 displays on a screen of a television set 5 no character, which plays on the screen in place of the game player. Motion determination means 53 determines, based on the motion signal, whether or not a predetermined proper motion has been made by the player with the game tool 9 in a three dimensional space. The image display means 55 indicates on the screen that the proper motion has been made when the motion determination means 53 determines that the proper motion has been made with the game tool 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Okamoto, Hachitaro Sato
  • Patent number: 9595157
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 9566520
    Abstract: As one implementation example, an application comprising a recreational game performs a method comprising displaying at least a portion of a recreational object. The recreational object comprises a central portion comprising a center and a plurality of arm members in which the arm members are joined to the central portion and balanced about the center, the arm members each comprising a channel for enabling air passage through the arm members and into the central portion in which the air passage affects a flight speed and a rotational speed of the recreational object passing through air. The method further comprises receiving input from an application user, the input operable to manipulate the recreational object to achieve a goal of the recreational game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Lucian S. Naum
  • Patent number: 9550110
    Abstract: A cashless play system for arcade games on passenger ships utilizes a key card reader to read patron identity information. The key card reader sends the patron identity information to a shipboard game play server and receives game play authorization information based on the patron identity information and patron data stored in a shipboard patron database. The key card reader activates the arcade game based on the game play authorization information and causes game play data to be stored in a game play database. Further, the game play server uploads game play data to a remote server, at a geographic location other than the geographic location of the passenger ship, and downloads game play server updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NAMCO USA INC.
    Inventors: David L. Bishop, John P. Kneip, Alexander N. Orban
  • Patent number: 9552698
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing gaming experiences using a game wheel. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to operate a gaming wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections of the wheel includes a symbol mark and is associated with a section classification. Random selections of game wheel sections are made where selected sections associated with a first classification provide an award associated with the corresponding symbol mark and places a termination indicator in the selected section. Selected sections associated with a second classification clear one or more of the existing termination indicators, if any. Selections continue until a section associated with a termination indicator is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Patent number: 9550105
    Abstract: A pacing system for pacing an activity receives a desired pace that includes a timing interval and generates a first pace signal based on the desired pace and corresponding to the timing interval. The system receives feedback on an actual pace of the activity and determines if the actual pace is different than the desired pace. When the actual pace is different, the system generates a second pace signal having a timing that is different than the timing interval. When the actual pace is not different, the system generates the second pace signal in accordance with the timing interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lacroix, Danny Grant
  • Patent number: 9547080
    Abstract: A gaming object includes an orientation sensor that generates orientation data in response to the orientation of the gaming object. An actuator that generates interaction data in response to an action of a user. A transceiver sends an RF signal to a game device that indicates the orientation data and the interaction data. The game device generates display data for display on a display device that contains at least one interactive item, and wherein the at least one interactive item is interactive in response to the orientation data and the interaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Nambirajan Seshadri, Brima B. Ibrahim, John Walley, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 9530285
    Abstract: Techniques providing a mid-spin enhancement feature(s) in response to the presented subset of symbols. In one embodiment, a method involves spinning reels of a slot game, and achieving a minimum win combination criteria based on a result of a subset of the reels that have stopped spinning. The remaining reels continue to spin, and an enhanced feature is activated while the remaining reels continue to spin. The remaining reels stop spinning, and results are provided based on at least the result of the reels and the activated enhanced feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Chad Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9501898
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a game having a sub-symbol award evaluation. Generally, in various embodiments, if an outcome of a play of the game includes a set of one or more displayed designated symbols that are each associated with a same one of a plurality of different characteristics and that are collectively associated with a quantity of sub-symbols that is at least a designated quantity, the gaming system determines an award based on that particular characteristic and that particular quantity of sub-symbols. Put differently, the determined award varies based on the particular characteristic associated with each of those displayed designated symbols and the particular quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with those displayed designated symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Christian D. Gerchak, William K. Hughes, Kelsy J. Grace
  • Patent number: 9489803
    Abstract: A system and method for operating gaming systems, such as casino gaming systems and methods, is provided with increasing or improving odds of winning. A display device displays a play area or game board having a plurality of interactive regions some of which are winning regions with others being losing regions. A player may select a region for wagering a fixed wager amount. When the player selects a winning region, the player may elect to take the payout or play at least one additional round of play with the payout. The probability of winning in each additional round of play is increased while increasing the payout by the fixed wager amount. When a losing region is selected, the payout accumulated from the rounds of play is lost. The game mechanic provides for long sequences of wins, or winning streaks, to attract players while reducing variance caused by large jackpot payouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Justin Wald
  • Patent number: 9489793
    Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to mobile gaming, location determination, mobile devices, authentication, and so on are described. Various methods are described. Various apparatus are described. Further embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Williams, Matthew Morrissette, Stephane Minisini
  • Patent number: 9452346
    Abstract: A security system for a casino table card game has a casino table with i) indicia thereon for the placement of wagers, ii) a data entry system with an associated computer, and iii) sensors that can detect the placement of at least one specific category of wager; a shuffling device with a microprocessor integral to the shuffler for providing information regarding cards or hands; a central table gaming computer that receives information from the shuffler in real time, receives information from the sensors, and receives information from the data entry system, the associated computer, the microprocessor and the central table gaming computer communicating data among each other in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, David B. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9427660
    Abstract: A system communicates with a device in both a wired mode and a wireless mode, and is able to switch between these two modes without permanent disruption to an ongoing use. The system is configured to receive an indication of a condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation, to display a notification for the device to switch, and to transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lum, Wei Guo
  • Patent number: 9421456
    Abstract: A load detecting apparatus includes a load controller. In order to identifying predetermined number of motions performed on the load controller by the player, for example, a condition of a ratio of load values to a body weight value and a condition relating to a position of a center of gravity are defined in advance. The ratio of the detected load values to the body weight value and the position of the center of gravity are calculated, and on the basis of the ratio and the position of the center of gravity, a motion performed on the load controller by the player is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoi Okamoto, Shigehiro Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 9375644
    Abstract: A method for establishing communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment includes receiving wireless signal data transmitted from the portable electronic device, determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on the wireless signal data, and based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has increased, exceeded a predetermined threshold level, and leveled off for an amount of time exceeding a time threshold after becoming stronger, initiating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 9364751
    Abstract: A method for providing an interactive video game over a digital communications network. The method involves operating an interactive computer game on interconnected computer games terminals. The method includes receiving, at each of the computer games terminals, interactive user input data from a controller associated with the computer games terminal and also interactive user input data from a controller associated with each of the other of the plurality of computer game terminals. The method further includes rendering a graphical representation of the computer game based on the interactive user input data. Then, with at least one of the plurality of computer game terminals, non-interactive user input data is received from a controller associated with a further computer games terminal associated with a non-interactive user. The method continues with rendering the graphical representation of the computer game based on the interactive user input data and, selectively, the non-interactive user input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Avent, Kim Burrows
  • Patent number: 9235956
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that determine and assign rewards as a group in a wagering game system utilizing social contacts. One of the devices described herein, a wagering game system, determines a first player account associated with a wagering game and looks at the first player account to determine a second player account associated with the first player account as a social network contact. The first player account and the second player account comprise a group of members in a group game or challenge. The wagering game system determines a reward that can be assigned to the group members. The wagering game system determines one or more tasks that must be performed before assigning the reward. The wagering game system presents the one or more tasks to the group members. The wagering game system detects when the tasks are completed and assigns the reward to the group members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Damon E. Gura, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 9205328
    Abstract: A videogame may be provided to one or more users in which characters controlled by users earn fans that impact the videogame similarly to fans in real life. For example, a character may earn virtual currency, be invited to participate in events and/or teams, obtain sponsorships, and/or experience other impacts associated with fanbase size. The videogame may include one or more primary objectives presented to the user. The performance of the primary objectives by the user may impact the progression of a character being controlled by the user through the videogame. The videogame may further include provide one or more fan objectives within the game which can be performed by the character being controlled by the user to earn fans to be included within a fanbase associated with the character in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charnjit Singh Bansi, Paul Kerby, Peter Hall, Gareth Wilson
  • Patent number: 9208651
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display device configured to portray wagering game outcomes indicated by symbols populated in symbol arrays. The gaming system receives a first wager and displays a first symbol array to indicate the outcome for the first wager. The gaming system receives a second wager and displays a second symbol array to indicate the outcome for the second wager. During portrayal of the second outcome, the first symbol array is displayed simultaneously with the second symbol array, and the first symbol array is modified according to one or more symbols in the second symbol array. The gaming system provides an award according to the improvement, if any, in the second symbol array resulting from the modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 9186578
    Abstract: An example game system includes a plurality of operating devices for outputting first operation data, a transportable display device for outputting second operation data, and a game apparatus. The game apparatus controls a plurality of first operation targets based on the first operation data, and a second operation target based on the second operation data. In addition, the game apparatus generates a first game image including a plurality of images representing a virtual space as viewed from first virtual cameras each corresponding to one of the first operation targets. The game apparatus generates a second game image including an image representing the virtual space as viewed from a second virtual camera corresponding to the second operation target. The first game image is outputted to a predetermined display device. The second game image is displayed on the transportable display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Keizo Ohta