Patents Examined by Steve Rowland
  • Patent number: 11986731
    Abstract: A method for enabling visualization of audio content of a video game is provided, including the following operations: executing a session of a video game; activating an audio visualization theme for the session of the video game; responsive to activating the audio visualization theme, then dynamically adjusting gameplay video of the session to include visual elements indicative of audio content of the session; wherein said visual elements are rendered in a designated border region of the gameplay video based on the audio content of the session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Victoria Walker, Olga Rudi
  • Patent number: 11980817
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a role conversion method and apparatus. The method may include displaying a virtual environment. A first virtual object and a second virtual object are being displayed in the virtual environment. The method may further include obtaining a role conversion instruction for the first virtual object and converting the first virtual object to a target virtual object having a same role as the second virtual object in response to the role conversion instruction. The method may further include assigning a role attribute the same as that of the second virtual object to the target virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jian Hu, Peixin Huang
  • Patent number: 11982517
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for indicating whether a target has been impacted by a projectile are disclosed. Embodiments may include a microcontroller, an impact sensor, and an impact indicator. Apparatus may include an acoustic sensor and a miss indicator. Acoustic information or impact information may be received by the sensors and sent to the microcontroller unit. A determination may be made regarding whether the target has been impacted. An indication of a hit or a miss may be made by the impact indicator based on the determination. A light redirection element, which may include a light pipe, may direct light from the impact indicator around the edge of a target to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: NIELSEN-KELLERMAN, CO.
    Inventors: Alex J. Sitzman, Weston D. Petersen, Garet L. Itz
  • Patent number: 11980818
    Abstract: A game system includes a processor, the processor being configured to perform a reception process of receiving an operation input by a player; a virtual space setting process of setting a virtual space in which at least one character is disposed; a virtual camera setting process of setting a plurality of virtual cameras; a character process of setting parts constituting the at least one character based on the operation input; and a display process of generating a plurality of character images, which are images of the at least one character viewed from the plurality of virtual cameras, and displaying a character-creation image in which the plurality of character images are arranged on a display section. In the display process, when the setting process of setting the parts is performed, the processor performs a process of displaying the character-creation image on which the result of the setting process is reflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC., BANDAI NAMCO ONLINE INC., BANDAI NAMCO STUDIOS INC.
    Inventors: Daigo Okumura, Minoru Sashida, Hiroaki Kado, Yukie Kanno, Chika Ishii, Takayoshi Oi
  • Patent number: 11980808
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a game controller, including a gun-shaped body, a mode switching mechanism, a gamepad, and a screen positioning device arranged on the gun-shaped body. The mode switching mechanism switches different game operation modes; and the gamepad is rotatably connected to the gun-shaped body. The present disclosure can adapt to most games in the market, which can not only enhance the vicarious feeling of a game, but also provide a more comprehensive operation experience for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventor: Jinlong Zhao
  • Patent number: 11978305
    Abstract: A pool of game outcomes is generated on a smart card that is associated with a gaming machine. The pool of game outcomes is identical to a previously generated pool of game outcomes. A seed is created and a pool of game outcomes is generated using the seed, a pseudorandom number generator (pRNG), game rules, and a pool size. The seed, a game identifier associated with the game rules, and the pool size are stored in a database that is remote from the smart card. The seed, the game identifier, and the pool size are usable for audit purposes to recreate the pool of game outcomes using the same pRNG and the same game rules that are used to generate the original pool of game outcomes. A memory of the smart card associated with the gaming machine is loaded with the seed. The smart card includes same pRNG that is used to generate the original pool of game outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TAPCENTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: David C. Wentker
  • Patent number: 11975263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image stabilization of video imagery generated by applications are disclosed. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include executable instructions to receive a video stream from an application executed on the IHS, identify a level of jitter in the video stream, and process the video stream by re-positioning imagery in the video stream to compensate for the jitter. The instructions may then display the processed video stream on a display. The display displays the processed video stream in place of the video stream generated by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Siew Fei Lee, Wei-Kuo Yu, Lei Guo
  • Patent number: 11972659
    Abstract: A system includes a casino management server and an electronic casino device that includes a beacon configured to wirelessly communicate with personal devices of players. The device transmits a request for a custom beacon ID to the casino management server, receives the custom beacon ID from the casino management server in response to the request; and configures the beacon with the custom beacon ID, thereby broadcasting the custom beacon ID to the personal device of the player. The server receives, from the personal device of the player, a pairing request that includes a received beacon ID as received by the personal device based on the broadcasting, validates that the received beacon ID matches the custom beacon ID, stores a valid association between the personal device of the player and the electronic casino device; and authorizes connected actions to be performed by the personal device based on the association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Palmisano, Eric Taylor, Steven Santisi
  • Patent number: 11969654
    Abstract: A method for determining a target virtual object is provided. In the method, a target search range corresponding to a target skill of a controlled virtual object is determined in response to a trigger operation of the target skill. The virtual object is controlled by a user. In response to the target search range including a plurality of first virtual objects in the target search range, at least one second virtual object that satisfies a defeated condition is obtained from the plurality of first virtual objects, the defeated condition indicating that a preset threshold of virtual health points will be reached after the target skill is performed on the first virtual object. A third virtual object that satisfies a target hit condition of the user is obtained from the at least one second virtual object. The target skill is performed on the third virtual object as the target virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yulin Wan, Shandong Su
  • Patent number: 11972665
    Abstract: A method of playing a game, the method comprising selecting a predefined number of player indicia; providing an event reference, the event reference being viewable on a display device, the event reference comprising a plurality of event participants, the plurality of event participants being ranked; randomly generating a plurality of randomly generated indicia, the plurality of randomly generated indicia comprising a first indicia and a second indicia; associating the first indicia with a first event participant; associating the second indicia with a second event participant; obtaining the ranking of the participants based on the order they finish in the event reference; ordering the plurality of randomly generated indicia based on the ranking of their respective associated participants; and determining a game outcome, the game outcome comprising comparing the player indicia to the plurality of randomly generated indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SMET Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: John Colceri
  • Patent number: 11964202
    Abstract: A peer to peer communication system and method are provided to enable interfacing with an application running on a gaming engine for an avatar simulation or video conference. The system and method establish a real-time peer-to-peer communication link between remotely located users for transmission in real-time of audio, video, and data communications. The system and method capture incoming audio and video transmissions from input devices operable by the users while controlling one or more avatars, and transmit, in real time, synchronized audio, video, and data communications to the users over the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mursion, Inc.
    Inventors: Arjun Nagendran, Brian D. Kelly
  • Patent number: 11957986
    Abstract: There is a need to dynamically determine one or more levels of difficulty for a computer program associated with one or more levels of difficulty for a computer program associated with one or more dynamic difficulty tasks. In one example, embodiments comprise, during a user interaction session with a computer program, receiving a physiological evaluation data object. One or more physiological difficulty levels may be determined based at least in part on the physiological evaluation data object. One or more program control parameter values for one or more program control parameters may be determined based at least in part on the one or more physiological difficulty levels. User interface data for the computer program may be generated to enable rendering of an in-program experience of the computer program as adjusted by the one or more program control parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Sean Hale, Jared D. Martin, Laura Kirschbaum Kochevar, Herk Anthony Confer
  • Patent number: 11944904
    Abstract: A data synchronization method and apparatus, a terminal, a server, and a storage medium. The method includes: in response to a throwing operation on a virtual prop, controlling the virtual prop to move in a virtual scene according to a first movement trajectory; acquiring collision information and movement information of the virtual prop in response to a collision between the virtual prop and a virtual obstacle on the first movement trajectory; and transmitting, to a server, synchronization information comprising the collision information and the movement information, the synchronization information being used for instructing the server to correct a second movement trajectory according to the collision information and the movement information, the second movement trajectory being a movement trajectory of the virtual prop acquired by the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chao Liang
  • Patent number: 11931652
    Abstract: A computer game system including a game screen that has at least one game play element, and at least one human-only readable medium, such that the human-only readable medium displays information about the at least one game play element instructing a player how to successfully accomplish a game task, and a device and non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions to run such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: George Alexander Rodriguez, Eder Daniel Moreira-Teixeira
  • Patent number: 11918916
    Abstract: A method of recommending an unplayed game application to a user includes obtaining a game history associated with a user profile, wherein the game history includes at least one game record of a game application the user profile has been used to play, and evaluating the game history to obtain a plurality of game events associated with a game application of the game history. The method further includes accessing a table of tags associated with the plurality of game events associated with the game application, aggregating a plurality of tags in a tag list in the user profile based at least partially on the table of tags and the plurality of game events, and presenting to the user a recommendation of an unplayed game application based at least partially on the plurality of tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gershom Payzer, Bridgette Marie Kuehn, Christopher Ian Charla, Kathryn Stone Perez, Madeline Jaye Whisenant, Lily Wang, Jennifer Rose Guriel
  • Patent number: 11918901
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a virtual scene are provided. The method includes obtaining a target configuration information for a target scene element in the virtual scene based on an instruction by a first client indicating a candidate scene element; and instructing a second client to display the target scene element in the virtual scene based on the target configuration information, wherein a player activity in the virtual scene is only viewable via the first client and the player activity in the virtual scene is interactable via the second client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Dajia Sun
  • Patent number: 11922763
    Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a control unit programmed display a game screen including a primary game area and a bonus feature event area. The control unit displays the plurality of credit prize symbols in the bonus feature event area with each credit prize symbol being associated with a corresponding special symbol and having an associated credit value. The control unit spins and stops the plurality of virtual reels to display an outcome of the game and determines an amount of credits based on the credit value of each displayed credit prize symbol that is associated with the special symbol displayed in the outcome of the primary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11900766
    Abstract: Systems and methods that associate zero, one or more redemption attributes with a ticket voucher, wherein the associated redemption attribute determines one or more channels by which the ticket voucher may be redeemed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jeffery Shepherd, Kevin Higgins
  • Patent number: 11900771
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems, machines, and methods and, in particular, hidden symbol tracking. As an example, an electronic gaming machine is described that includes a set of reels, where each reel in the set of reels includes a plurality of symbol regions with at least one symbol provided therein, and where a first reel in the set of reels includes a hidden symbol that is capable of different presentations based upon having different lighting conditions applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kyle Rothchild, Thomas Humphrey, Matthew Palazzetti, Cullen O'Day
  • Patent number: 11890545
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence (AI) based method for calibration of a gaming ecosystem and to maximize satisfaction of a player involved in a gaming session such as single-player gaming session, multi-player online gaming session, and a videogame recommendation system is provided. The system detects the gaming session that includes an execution of a video game for a first gameplay and acquires sensor data associated with a player involved in the first gameplay. The sensor data corresponds to a duration of the detected gaming session. The system determines one or more indicators of a dissatisfaction of the player with the first gameplay based on application of one or more Artificial Intelligence (AI) models on the sensor data. The system controls the execution of the video game to modify one or more aspects associated with the first gameplay or a second gameplay of the video game that is different from the first gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Alexandre Zaghetto, Ali Tabatabai, Danillo B Graziosi