Patents Examined by Peter J Iannuzzi
  • Patent number: 11969646
    Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, a user input device is provided. The user-input device may include non-contact magnetic, capacitive, or inductive components for translating movements of a joystick into angular positions. Magnets attached to axial shafts of a joystick assembly may cause changes in voltage in magnetometers on a PCB when the axial shafts are rotated, which may be translated into angular positions of the joystick. Conductors attached to axial shafts of a joystick assembly may cause changes in capacitive charge in capacitors on a PCB when the axial shafts are rotated, which may be translated into angular positions of the joystick. Anisotropic magnetically permeable material and/or excitation components attached to axial shafts of a joystick assembly may cause changes in inductance in inductors on a PCB when the axial shafts are rotated, which may be translated into angular positions of the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Steven William Ranta, Ian Hartman Skop, Edoardo Gastelum Enriquez, Evan William Mattingly
  • Patent number: 11964198
    Abstract: A directional pad assembly including a directional-control unit having a plate-like structure and two or more plunger elements slidable relative to the plate-like structure; a main support structure to support a centre of the plate-like structure such that the plate-like structure is multi-directional tiltable; an interface frame structure suspended above the plate-like structure of the directional-control unit and in a fixed spatial relationship and non-movable relative to the main support structure; and two or more switches arranged around the main support structure and aligned to the two or more plunger elements. The directional-control unit being operable between a first mode, whereby the plate-like structure is tiltable, and a second mode, whereby the two or more plunger elements are individually slidable relative to the plate-like structure, to activate the two or more switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Palma Guerrero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11951407
    Abstract: A screen soccer system and method are disclosed. The screen soccer system includes a system server including a data transceiver, a running information processor, an image output part, and a kicking information processor. The running information processor receives footstep information of user in real time from a first footstep sensing device. The image output part transmits the running image information to an image output device through the data transceiver. The data transceiver receives gravity center movement information of the user transmitted from a second footstep sensing device. The kicking information processor analyzes and converts the gravity center movement information, the kicking motion information, and the soccer ball kicking information into kicked ball image information regarding a kicked ball path. The image output part transmits the kicked ball image information to the image output device through the data transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Jin Woo Song
  • Patent number: 11948430
    Abstract: The management system for substitute currency includes a pattern acquiring device configured to acquire an image of the ground pattern of the substitute currency, a reading device configured to read an ID of the substitute currency currency, and a control device configured to associate a pattern of the ground pattern with the ID and store the associated pattern and ID in a database. The control device is configured to analyze the image of the ground pattern acquired by the pattern acquiring device to identify the pattern, and determine, based on the database, whether the pattern of the ground pattern of the substitute currency matches the pattern of the ground pattern associated with the ID of the substitute currency obtained from the reading device, thereby to determine authenticity of the substitute currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ANGEL GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 11941951
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides an operation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The operation unit is configured to receive an operation of the player. The display unit is operably coupled to the operation unit and is configured to display a first display area with a first grid of cells, and a second display area with a second grid of cells. The first symbol display area includes a first plurality of cells arranged in a first grid. The control unit randomly establishes a bonus pattern of symbols in the second grid of cells and copies the bonus pattern of symbols into the first grid of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11925855
    Abstract: An apparatus reattach-able to a container, the apparatus including a processor and one or more sensors operatively attached to the processor. The one or more sensors configurable upon a toss applied to the container by a user, to sense a data of the number of rotations in midair of the container. The distance travelled by the container in midair to landing on a surface and the settled orientation position of the container upon landing on a surface. A communication interface configured to transmit the data sensed during a game event to a game application running on a computing device. To provide an indication of a score to the user responsive to a comparison of the data to one or more game criteria of the game application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Malka Net Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Amir Malka, Sagui Malka
  • Patent number: 11893852
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine architecture is provided in which a gaming platform application and wagering game applications are executed in separate processes but may share access to common display windows; such display windows may be caused to be generated by the gaming platform application, which may then assign specific display windows to the various wagering game applications, along with window handles usable to direct graphical content thereto. The wagering game applications may then direct graphical content to the display windows, while the gaming platform application may retain control over the size, position, transparency, and/or z-order of the display windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Rizos, Donovan David Meyer
  • Patent number: 11872479
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device, such as a joystick. In particular configurations, the device includes a joystick configured to rotate about a first axis and a second axis and a first resistance mechanism coupled to the joystick. The first resistance mechanism can include a rotary damper configured to selectively resist rotation of the joystick about the first axis and a processor in communication with the rotary damper and configured to adjust a resistance torque of the rotary damper. The rotary damper may provide resistance through manipulation of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the fluid damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jason Scott Morrison, Erik Summa
  • Patent number: 11865437
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to video gaming systems, which utilize a video game controller in electronic communication with a computing device. One embodiment includes a video gaming system, including a pair of video game controller input modules non-removably secured to a rigid, fixed length bridge section, a smart device holder attached to the rigid, fixed length bridge section, and a smart device secured by the smart device holder such that an entire back surface of the smart device lies fixed in a plane, wherein said plane is parallel to a front surface of the rigid, non-expandable bridge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: T2M, INC.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Lee Chin Feng, Daniel Paul Dooley
  • Patent number: 11861977
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods which utilize a player identification device to provide to electronic gaming machines certain gaming system functionality and features otherwise not associated with or available in association with the electronic gaming machines existing gaming establishment management systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin M. Higgins, Matthew Levin
  • Patent number: 11839810
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller having a first handle, a bridge, a first spring mechanism, and a first latch mechanism. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device and includes a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle. The bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle. The bridge and the first handle are configured for the main body portion of the first handle to translate in a retraction direction toward a midline of the bridge and into a retracted configuration and also to translate in an extension direction away from the midline of the bridge into an extended configuration. The first spring mechanism is configured to bias the first handle toward the retracted configuration. The first latch mechanism is configured to temporarily lock the bridge in the extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Atsushi Shirata, Francois Pierre René Dransart, Gregory Robert Cerny, Wei-Jun Wang, Jon Lake
  • Patent number: 11842599
    Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize an electronic gaming machine to stream one or more events occurring in association with the electronic gaming machine to zero, one or more interested parties whom are remote from the electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Curtis Baker, Kevin Higgins, Dwayne R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11839809
    Abstract: Provided is an operation device including: an operation portion inserted into an insertion hole portion of a glass portion; a frame portion equipped with an inner hole portion into which the operation portion is inserted; a rotation portion rotatably installed on the frame portion; a first locking part connected by the rotation portion and a link member, and moved together with the link member so as to be attached to and detached from one side of the operation portion; a second locking part installed in a position opposite to the first locking part with the operation portion interposed therebetween, and moved together with the first locking part so as to be attached to and detached from the other side of the operation portion; and a rotating connecting portion rotatably installed to the frame portion and to which the first locking part and the second locking part are rotatably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KORTEK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 11839808
    Abstract: An influence of hands holding an input device or fingers manipulating operation members on sound collection by a microphone is reduced. An input device (10) has a right held portion (10R) that has an upper surface on which an operation button (11) to be operated by a finger in the right hand is disposed, a left held portion (10L) that has an upper surface on which a direction key (12) to be operated by a finger in the left hand is disposed, and a middle portion (10M) positioned between the right held portion (10R) and the left held portion (10L). A first microphone (21) and a second microphone (22) are arranged in the middle portion (10M). The first microphone (21) is positioned rearward of a center of the middle portion (10M) in a front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Masaho Morita, Hiromasu Kaburaki
  • Patent number: 11833415
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, a games controller and an actuator mounted to a controller. The apparatus comprises a case having a first part and a second part. Each of the first and second parts comprise one or more controls. One of the first and second parts comprises a sensor for determining the position of the first part relative to the second part, wherein the position of the first part relative to the second part provides an input control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Ironmonger, Carl S. Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 11826642
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller including a first handle, a second handle, a bridge, and a flat, flexible cable. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device. The first handle includes a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle that is configured to accept touch inputs. The second handle is configured to contact and support the mobile device. The second handle includes a user-accessible, second hardware interface on a main body portion of the second handle that is configured to accept touch inputs. The bridge couples the first handle to the second handle. The bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle and the second handle. The flat, flexible cable is configured to conduct an electrical signal between the first handle and the second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Atsushi Shirata, Gregory Robert Cerny, Wei-Jun Wang, Jon Lake
  • Patent number: 11826638
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device. In particular configurations, the device includes a shaft configured to couple to a user element, such as a joystick, a brake coupled to the shaft at a planar element of the shaft, and a piezoelectric element coupled to the brake. The piezoelectric element may be configured to apply different forces to the brake to adjust a resistance to movement of the shaft by the user. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jason Scott Morrison, Robert D. Hrehor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11826651
    Abstract: Methods for providing guidance to a user wearing a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One example method includes using a camera of the HMD to track the user wearing the HMD in a real-world space, and identifying a safe zone within the real-world space for interacting with a virtual reality space via the HMD. The method further includes detecting movements of the user in the real-world space. The method includes integrating content into the virtual reality space. The content is configured to provide guidance in direction of movement of the user toward the safe zone of the real-world space. If the user continues to move away from safe zone, pausing presentation of the virtual reality space, and resuming the presentation when the user is in the safe zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 11826639
    Abstract: A video game controller has triggers that can be depressed by a user. The triggers have associated trigger stops actuatable to limit the travel of the trigger when depressed by the user. The trigger stop can be selectively operated by the user to vary the trigger stop location, and therefore the amount of travel of the trigger when depressed, between multiple (e.g., more than 2, more than 3, more than 4, 5, etc.) positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Storm Orion, Trevor Thomas Lehr, Ali Homayounfar
  • Patent number: 11826635
    Abstract: Context-sensitive remote controls for use with electronic devices (e.g., eyewear device). The electronic device is configured to perform activities (e.g., email, painting, navigation, gaming). The context-sensitive remote control includes a display having a display area, a display driver coupled to the display, and a transceiver. The remote control additionally includes memory that stores controller layout configurations for display in the display area of the display by the display driver. A processor in the context-sensitive remote control is configured to establish, via the transceiver, communication with an electronic device, detect an activity currently being performed by the electronic device, select one of the controller layout configurations responsive to the detected activity, and present, via the display driver, the selected controller layout configuration in the display area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Nielsen, Jonathan Rodriguez, Yu Jiang Tham