Patents Examined by Michael Cuff
  • Patent number: 10643424
    Abstract: A system and method for hosting and managing a live game are disclosed which includes a live gaming table for live players and a live dealer. In an embodiment an application configures a player's mobile device to receive an invitation from a casino to play the table game based upon the player being, based upon location aware technology, being in or near the casino. Accepting the invention permits the player to reserve a position at the gaming table and displays a machine readable code at the player's mobile device. The player positions at the gaming table include video display and player input devices (VDPIDs) and a code reader to read the displayed code and access the player's electronic account. Using the VDPID the player may convert between electronic funds and physical gaming chips, participate in video bonus event play and back-bet on other players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Yee, Jeremy A. Halter, Mark Lowell, Scott Hilbert, Dat Huy Ta, Sridhar Gondesi, William Jones, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 10639546
    Abstract: A non-limiting example game apparatus comprises a main body apparatus functions as a vibration control apparatus and a first controller and a second controller that are attachable to or detachable from the main body apparatus. For example, the game apparatus is used in a first mode that two controller are attached to the main body apparatus, a second mode that the two controllers are detached from the main body apparatus and used independently, a third mode that the two controllers are detached from the main body apparatus and used with being connected integrally to each other, or a fourth mode that a third controller different from the two controllers is used. A vibration source and a reception portion of the vibration are set in a virtual space, and vibration generated from the vibration source is conveyed to the reception portion with being attenuated according to a situation in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Yamashita, Takafumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 10643426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a system that enables funds automatically transferred into the system from one or more funding sources in anticipation of such funds being used in association with various system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kevin Higgins, Jeffery Shepherd
  • Patent number: 10636251
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides a base game from which a feature game is triggered when a determined number of configurable symbols are displayed in a base game outcome. When the feature game is triggered, the configurable symbols are held in place on the display and the player is provided with more spins during the feature game in which to collect additional configurable symbols. The feature game includes an initial quantity of spins. Upon completion of the initial quantity of spins, the player is presented with a plurality of picks that each correspond to an additional quantity of spins. The selected pick is then revealed by the gaming machine and the additional quantity of spins corresponding to the player's pick is provided. At the end of the feature game, the player may be awarded a feature award based, at least in part, on a value of each of the configurable symbols displayed at the end of the feature game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Marks, Hua Xu
  • Patent number: 10632383
    Abstract: A server includes a storage unit storing characteristic data objects of each user, each characteristic data object having a first parameter value representing an ability of the characteristic data object to exert power, a second parameter value representing an ability to reduce the first parameter value of each characteristic data object of another user different from the user having the characteristic data object, and one of attributes having a superiority-inferiority relationship relative to each other. The server further includes a receiving unit receiving a game proceeding instruction from a device of each user, and a parameter adjusting unit adjusting the second parameter value of each characteristic data object of the user of the device, based on a first number of characteristic data objects of the user that have an attribute superior to a first attribute assigned among characteristic data objects of a second user different from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10625154
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. In the video game, a plurality of players addresses a common task. The video game processing apparatus includes a processor and a display controller. The processor specifies a task corresponding to a task providing request of a first player and generates player related information of a second player corresponding to the specified task. The display controller displays, on a task screen, an image including a character string in association with the second player. The character string satisfies a display condition during progress of the specified task. The task screen indicates the specified task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sato, Naofumi Takuma, Hiroaki Iwano
  • Patent number: 10629029
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to implementing a system to encourage cross platform operation in an online game. The online game may provide the ability to provide incentives for participating in cross platform game play. The system may monitor the player's performance on a particular console and provide incentives to accomplish tasks through game play on a different platform than the player is currently operating to play the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Harrington, Kent Wakeford
  • Patent number: 10629030
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides a base game from which a feature game is triggered when a determined number of configurable symbols are displayed in a base game outcome. When the feature game is triggered, the configurable symbols are held in place on the display and the player is provided with more spins during the feature game in which to collect additional configurable symbols. Any additional configurable symbols are retained on the display during subsequent spins until the feature game is completed. The configurable symbols include mystery symbols whose value is not determined until the mystery symbol is displayed. A first valuation game, such as a wheel spin, is used to determine the value for the mystery symbols. At the end of the feature game, the player is awarded a prize based on the values carried by the configurable symbols. A second valuation game, such as a wheel spin, is used to provide an enhanced award if the player collects a determined number of configurable symbols during the feature game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Marks, Hua Xu
  • Patent number: 10614662
    Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: determining which of a plurality of gaming devices, each operable for independent play of one or more games, are eligible for an additional game; initiating an additional game; and determining in response to initiation of the additional game, which eligible gaming devices will participate in the initiated additional game, the determination including a random determination in respect of at least one of the eligible gaming devices to determine whether the respective eligible gaming device will participate in the additional game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Sek Joung
  • Patent number: 10600286
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides a base game, from which a spin and hold feature game is triggered when a determined number of configurable symbols are displayed in a base game outcome. When the feature game is triggered, the configurable symbols are held in place on the display and the player is provided more spins during the feature game in which to collect additional configurable symbols. Any additional configurable symbols are retained on the display during subsequent spins until the feature game is completed. At the end of the feature game, the player is awarded a prize based on the values carried by the configurable symbols. During play of the feature game, the configurable symbols include repeater symbols whose value is determined by summing the values of the configurable symbols that triggered the feature game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Austrailia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Marks
  • Patent number: 10600209
    Abstract: A calibration method for a camera which monitors a target board is disclosed, comprising steps: using the camera to capture a target image corresponding to the target board; using rotation and translation to align the target image to a reference standard and acquire the corresponding relationship of the target image and the target board; defining a region of interest above the target image; using at least one positioning marker in at least two positions of the target board, whose actual space coordinates are known, and using the camera to acquire at least two image coordinates of the positioning markers in the region of interest; and using the known actual space coordinates and the acquired image coordinates to work out the exact position of the camera. Thereby, the positions of the cameras can be used to correctly determine the positions of darts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NVTEK Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Wei Liu, Wen-Chih Teng
  • Patent number: 10589169
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a control section to generate a control signal that controls an operation of a tactile feedback apparatus including a tactile feedback section. The control section changes control on the tactile feedback apparatus on the basis of a type of the tactile feedback section which is recognized by the control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Komori, Ikuo Yamano, Yusuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10586422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a gambling hybrid game having an omniscience mode are disclosed. The systems and method involve receiving an input from a player accepting an omniscience gambling proposition. The results of a gambling event associated with the omniscience gambling proposition are then determined and wagers are resolved. The results of the gambling event are then used to determine information to provide a player to satisfy the omniscience gambling proposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10576377
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a program product for causing a server to realize functions to control progress of a video game in a game space is provided. The functions include: a starting function configured to start, in a case where a player character becomes a game continuation disabled state in the game space, progress of the video game by using, as the player character, a character the same as or different from the player character that became the game continuation disabled state; and an arranging function configured to arrange, as an object corresponding to the player character that became the game continuation disabled state, a corresponding object at a spot of the game space where the player character became the game continuation disabled state or in the vicinity of the spot, predetermined information regarding the player character being associated with the corresponding character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventor: Takahisa Taura
  • Patent number: 10561939
    Abstract: A history-information obtaining unit obtains operation history information from a plurality of player terminals. A feature-information generating unit generates, for each of a plurality of players, feature information representing a feature of operation in the form of a certain weighted value obtained from the operation history information. A clustering unit clusters the plurality of players on the basis of the individual feature information of the plurality of players. An other-player-information sending control unit executes control so as to send information about other players belonging to the same group to the individual player terminals of the clustered plurality of players, while prohibiting sending of information about other players belonging to other groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CYGAMES, INC.
    Inventor: Shuichi Kurabayashi
  • Patent number: 10559221
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the implementation of personalized cognitive training. As an example, a processor-implemented method is provided for enhancing cognitive abilities of a user by personalizing cognitive training regimens through difficulty progression. The method includes: performing a cognitive assessment of a user using a set of assessment tasks; estimating a maximal performance of the user related to the set of assessment tasks; determining a performance range based at least in part on the maximal performance of the user; dividing the performance range into a plurality of progress gates, the plurality of progress gates corresponding to a plurality of task difficulty levels; selecting a first progress gate within the performance range; generating a first set of training tasks associated with the first progress gate; and collecting the user's first training responses to the first set of training tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Akili Interactive Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: W. E. Martucci, Adam Piper, Matthew Omernick, Adam Gazzaley, Eric Elenko, Ketki Karanam
  • Patent number: 10556177
    Abstract: A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Winview, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Lockton, Mark K. Berner, Mark J. Micheli, David Lowe
  • Patent number: 10558260
    Abstract: A technique is described herein for determining a pose of at least one mobile controller. The technique involves using a transmitter to initially emit a magnetic field and/or electromagnetic radiation at an elevated-power level, with respect to a normal-use power level. A receiver detects the magnetic field and/or electromagnetic radiation, to provide received signals. A tracking component determines the pose of the controller based on the received signals. Thereafter, the technique transmits the magnetic field and/or electromagnetic radiation at the normal-use power level. In one implementation, a head-mounted display (HMD) uses the above-summarized technique to find the controller when the user initially dons the HMD. This is useful because the controller may be invisible to the user who dons the HMD because it is out-of-range with respect to the normal-use operating space of the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Quentin Simon Charles Miller
  • Patent number: 10556185
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering a virtual reality (VR) experience of a real world space to a remote user via a head mounted display (HMD). A method provides for sending a request for the VR experience of the real world space and identifying a seat selection made by the user. The method includes operations for mapping the seat selection to a real world capture system for capturing video and audio at a location that corresponds to the seat selection and receiving real world coordinates for the real world capture system. Further, the method accesses a user profile of the user and receives a video stream of the real world space captured by the real world capture system. The method is able to identify and reskin a real world object with a graphical content element by overlaying the graphical content item in place of the image data associated with the real world object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Khan, Miao Li, Ken Miyaki
  • Patent number: 10549181
    Abstract: A shooting game control method, which is executed by a computer incorporated in a device including a display and a touch panel, includes accepting a touch operation on the touch panel; displaying a first frame indicative of a shooting effective range on the display in accordance with a position of the touch operation; accepting an instruction for an attack on an attack target in a state in which the first frame is displayed; determining whether the attack target in a game image displayed on the display is within the first frame or not, at a time point when the instruction for the attack has been accepted; and controlling the attack on the attack target in the game image in accordance with a result of the determining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tsuchiya, Norihiro Sawada, Tadashi Nagano, Takeshi Arakawa