Patents Examined by Shauna-Kay N Hall
  • Patent number: 11908283
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for providing reel-spin game enhancement features. A player enrolled with a subscription service server is presented with an opportunity to enhance game features associated with a gaming device after a result of a game played on the gaming device is determined. The gaming device determines that only when the result of the game played corresponds to a predetermined outcome, a respin option becomes available for the player. This option is rendered as an offer for the player to activate a game enhancement feature for a respin during a subsequent play of the reel-spin game. The game enhancement features include holding or locking a symbol in the reels of the reel-spin game, adding a score multiplier, or adding a modified symbol to a particular position or reel, during the respin of the subsequent play of the reel-spin game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Elisabeth Kiss, Susanne Kiss, Julia-Ines Lerchbaumer, Bruno Rittner, Michael Russ
  • Patent number: 11896894
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to controlling of a handle controller in the technical field of virtual reality. In an example, the handle controller includes a handle body and a plurality of light-emitting units coupled to the surface of the handle body, and a method includes: acquiring tracking information obtained by tracking the handle controller in a first time period, wherein the tracking information includes: pose information, position information and acceleration; predicting the motion information of the handle controller in a second time period according to the tracking information, wherein the second time period is located after the first time period; and adjusting the parameter values of light-emitting parameters of the plurality of light-emitting units in the second time period according to the motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Tao Wu
  • Patent number: 11822712
    Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ graspable controllers that can be employed in various scenarios, such as virtual reality scenarios and augmented reality scenarios. One example device can include multiple expansion assemblies having independently adjustable girths. The multiple expansion assemblies can be stacked adjacent to one another along an axis. A controller can be configured to expand or contract the girths of the expansion assemblies to collectively approximate girths of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Eric Jordan Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11804106
    Abstract: Some embodiments may relate to wagering one or more events. Such events may include sporting events. For example, one or more races may be wagered upon. In some embodiments, one or more wager may include an in running or in game wager. In some embodiments, one or more wagers may include a wager on a group of participants. Various apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Miller, Craig Lipka, Quinton Singleton
  • Patent number: 11786812
    Abstract: The present invention introduces an in-game API wrapper to perform identification and transcription of in-game visual and audio data by way of identifiable tags. Identified tags for visual and audio data are sent to an external audio API for transcribing into Morse code. The Morse code transcribing is sent back to the in-game API wrapper for transcription into haptic feedback. Identified tags for available on-screen button selections are transcribed by the in-game API wrapper into haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventor: Karen Elaine Stevens
  • Patent number: 11763632
    Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Everi Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren Nelson
  • Patent number: 11697063
    Abstract: In a case where a second camera operation through a third input unit using an inertial sensor is performed while a pointer operation process based on a pointer operation through a first input unit or a camera operation process based on a first camera operation through a second input unit is performed, an absolute value of a quantity of change in a position or an image capturing direction of a virtual camera based on the second camera operation is reduced as compared with a case where the second camera operation is performed when neither of the pointer operation process based on the pointer operation and the camera operation process based on the first camera operation are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., THE POKÉMON COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakaguchi, Kazumasa Kitada
  • Patent number: 11666830
    Abstract: A method for gaming. The method including instantiating an instance of a video game at a local device of a spectator. Game state and user data of one or more players participating in a gaming session is received. Video frames are generated of live game play by the players using the game state and user data by executing the video game in the instance. Video frames are displayed for the live game play on a display of the spectator. A local game slice of the video game is generated for a sliced game play while executing the video game in the instance. The local game slice being responsive to inputs from a controller device of the spectator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, True Xiong, Nathan Blaine Morgan
  • Patent number: 11651645
    Abstract: During play of a feature game, a gaming machine holds each feature trigger symbol at its respective display position, and if a group of symbol display positions has spins remaining, spins/respins reels of the respective group to obtain replacement symbols for each non-feature trigger symbol in the group. For each of group of symbol display positions, the gaming machine determines, based on the symbols in the groups, whether to award a prize identified by a prize tab associated with the group. Aspects of the feature game may be implemented in a base or primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (ATI)
    Inventor: Eric Boese
  • Patent number: 11541312
    Abstract: In a video game, a player's character can start in a normal state, receive first damage, and change to an incapacitated state. The player's character can be revived from the incapacitated state back to the normal state. The player's character can be changed from the incapacitated state to a preliminarily defeated state, and in response, a player respawn activation item can be generated. The player respawn activation item can be used by the player's teammates to respawn the player's character at one or more respawn locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventor: Carlos Emmanuel Reyes Pineda
  • Patent number: 11524239
    Abstract: A gameplay system for providing interactivity based on a piece of merchandise or other object held or worn by a player. The system includes an object identification assembly, which may be a modified computer vision system, that operates to sense, for a gameplay participant, the presence and identity of a particular augmenting object such as themed merchandise worn or held by a rider of a theme park ride. The sensing may be performed by detecting an on-and-off pattern of light emitted from the object. In response, the gameplay system selects or modifies the interactive features of gameplay associated with the participant based on the identified augmenting object. For example, the interactive features are selected from memory by the gameplay system controller to match a character associated with the augmenting object during any interactive gameplay. This allows the gameplay participant to choose their abilities or powers for gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elbert, Przemyslaw Iwanowski, Brent David Strong, Matthew S. Daly, Sarit Ghildayal, Bob Hickman, John Cody Hampton, Alex Christopher Wilde, Amanda Marie Leahy
  • Patent number: 11504624
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a movement of a virtual object in AR, and a terminal are provided. The method includes: a virtual moving area is generated within a current image capture range of a control device; a virtual object is generated in the virtual moving area; and a position of a virtual identifier in the virtual moving area is adjusted according to a real movement of the control device, and the virtual object is guided to virtually move according to the position of the virtual identifier. The present disclosure solves a technical problem in the related art that a joystick-based racing control mode provided in an AR scene is complex and game experience is poor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hua Rong
  • Patent number: 11423743
    Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Everi Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren Nelson
  • Patent number: 11420116
    Abstract: Processing of actions within a shared augmented reality experience is split between an edge node of a communications network (e.g., a cell tower) and a server. As a result, computation of the current state may be sharded naturally based on real-world location, with state updates generally provided by the edge node and the server providing conflict resolution based on a master state (e.g., where actions connected to different edge nodes potentially interfere with each other). In this way, latency may be reduced as game actions are communicated between clients connected to the same edge node using a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol without routing the actions via the game server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Turner, Benjamin Peake, David Grayson Smith, Gandeevan Raghuraman, Si ying Diana Hu
  • Patent number: 11321992
    Abstract: Gaming machine button decks are connected with a button deck filler for connecting between two adjacent gaming machines to provide continuity between button decks and to provide lighting effects between the gaming machines. Light sources may be controlled by a multimedia server operating to control various presentation interfaces for a group of adjacent gaming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Everi Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis B. Bussey, Daniel C. Gibson, Craig Steven Gallagher, Peter A. Phillips, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10912999
    Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing reciprocation of game asset gifts from a player is provided. A notification of a game asset of a first player that is available to a plurality of players is sent from a game server to the plurality of players. The notification is sent through a web feed in a game user interface of each player of the plurality of players. A first response requesting the game asset of the first player is received from a second web feed in a second game user interface of a second player in response to the notification. The game asset is provided to a second account of the second player in response to the first response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hall, Dylan Sproule, Ben Hall, Timothy J.O. Catlin, Jason Paul Allen, Clayton Rhodes Stark
  • Patent number: 10839944
    Abstract: To efficiently assess, prioritize, and re-assess individuals respectively for intervention OR for ongoing programs/activities OR for personalized rehabilitation or training activities: A Computerized Interactive Psychological Assessment Protocol including the steps of: using a predetermined interactive media, interfacing with a client, (A) accepting some predetermined goal-relevant self-assessment responses from the client, regarding the client's respective motivation, belief, know-how, state-of-mind, activity, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Tuvi Orbach
  • Patent number: 10650919
    Abstract: A wearable device comprising a memory storing a database of product codes and associated product recommendations derived from personalised biological information, a product code reader for reading a product code or data from a product, and a processor for using a read product code or read data to perform a look-up in the database to obtain a product recommendation for the associated product. The wearable device further comprises an indicator for providing an indication of the obtained product recommendation to a wearer of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DNANUDGE LIMITED
    Inventors: Maria Karvela, Christofer Toumazou
  • Patent number: 10258877
    Abstract: A game controller for controlling electronic games includes a controller chassis and an actuator system including: an actuator body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis; a strike plate coupled to the actuator body; a trigger adjustment system having an arm; and an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm. A portion of the actuator adjustment control screw may engage with a portion of the strike plate and the portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit movement of the actuator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 10258885
    Abstract: The game processor consumes paints of a plurality of colors to execute an attack in the game, reflects an effect of the attack in the game, and decreases possession paints according to consumption of the paints. The game processor consumes the paints of the plurality of colors according to consumption ratios determined for the attack to be executed and executes the attack. When at least one of the parameters necessary for the action to be executed is insufficient, the game processor changes the consumption ratios of the paints of the plurality of colors and executes the action. When the consumption ratios change, the game processor generates a game screen different from a game screen when the consumption ratios do not change. When the consumption ratios change, the game processor reflects an effect different from an effect when the consumption ratios do not change in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Tanabe, Yukio Morimoto, Kaoru Kita