Patents Examined by Syvila Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9947174
    Abstract: A computer system includes a server computer that handles transactions with user devices to create and manage events, create and manage user accounts and process wagers. Transactions regarding wagers in connection with events can be processed in real-time. The wagers are processed using a payoff function that rewards participation and accurate information, yet does not permit arbitrage or otherwise reward splitting a wager by participating under multiple identities. To compute a payoff, a first score is computed based on the probability estimate by a participant and the outcome. A second score is computed based on an aggregate of wagers of all other participants for each participant, where the first score for the participant is no more than the second score for at least one outcome. The payoff for the participant is then computed as a function of the first score and the second score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil Devanur Rangarajan, David Pennock, Jennifer Wortman Vaughan, Yiling Chen
  • Patent number: 9940789
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting a credit contribution for a hybrid game having an entertainment game portion and a gambling game portion are provided. In operation, a portion of real world credits committed or accumulated in the hybrid game are collected and the collected portion of real world credits is contributed to a pool via a credit tax management system, the pool for the purposes of contributing to an award for redemption of game world credit granted players for achieving a certain status in a hybrid game tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 9908045
    Abstract: The computer-implemented game comprises a plurality of user-initiated in-game actions for affecting game state information that includes a set of browser in-game actions which is available via a browser user interface and includes a set of convenience in-game actions which is unavailable via the browser user interface, a single convenience in-game action of the set of convenience in-game actions being capable of producing a particular game result that corresponds to a plurality of browser in-game actions from the set of browser in-game actions, the plurality of browser in-game actions being capable of collectively producing the particular game result. A mobile application allows access to a set of mobile in-game actions that includes at least a portion of the set of browser in-game actions and includes the set of convenience in-game actions, initiation of each convenience in-game action being a user-selectable option for a user only via the mobile application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Serena Lam, Kathleen Auterio, Deniz Ersever, Jackson Wang, Benjamin Mullin, Hardik Kheskani
  • Patent number: 9904680
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to automated identification and prediction of game milestones, and to automated presentation of those predictions and of the milestones as they are achieved. A method comprises searching statistical data for an indication of a milestone specified in an alerts data towards achievement of which an extent of progress has been made; identifying the milestone in the statistical data; predicting a time required to achieve the milestone; comparing the predicted time required to a condition specified in the alerts data; comparing the predicted time required to an indication of time that remains in scheduled game events in a game season in a scheduling data; and transmitting an alert that predicts achievement of the milestone based on the predicted time required meeting the condition and on the time that remains in the season providing at least the predicted time required. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CBS Interactive Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Marcus Crossley
  • Patent number: 9889372
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory computer readable storage media for providing an electronic lottery scratchcard game. In particular, disclosed are electronic Hidden Object Puzzle games that combines the existing lottery mechanic of scratchcard games with the existing social genre of Hidden Object games. In a traditional scratchcard puzzle, a series of covered squares are scratched by the player to reveal symbols such as letters of the alphabet. In a Hidden Object game, a graphical user interface contains hidden objects that reveal symbols such as letters of the alphabet when selected by the user. Specific combinations of symbols such as words award monetary prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Sirois, Christopher Macleod
  • Patent number: 9884246
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. An image display device is caused to display operating section images in an operating section image display area on a display screen in an arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positions of respective operating sections. The operating section images are operating section images respectively corresponding to the operating sections arranged in the operational input section. Identification display allowing a player to identify the operational function associated with the corresponding operating section is made for each of the group of operating section images. When to receive an operational input in response to an operation of any of the plurality of operating sections by the player, the video game processing apparatus carries out operation correspondence processing that indicates processing to exert an operational function associated with the operating section operated by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Hiroshi Minagawa, Kazutoyo Maehiro
  • Patent number: 9878240
    Abstract: A computing system is configured to execute a computer program on a server and to provide a video stream of the program output to a geographically remote client over a communication network. An add-on manager is provided to facilitate the use of add-ons to extend the functionality of the computer program. The add-on manager is responsive to commands received from the client and is configured to associate individual add-ons and add-on data with specific user accounts. The add-ons can be located on the server or some other location remote from the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Buchanan Gault, Rui Filipe Andrade Pereira, David Perry
  • Patent number: 9868066
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for marketing fantasy sports and/or stock market teams to potential investors, where an investor in a fantasy team shares in the winnings of that team. An owner of a fantasy sports team or a fantasy stock market portfolio offers his/her team up for sale or investment. The team can be sold in its entirety, or only a partial stake in the team can be sold, at the discretion of the owner. Potential investors view teams which are up for sale or investment, research team background and performance, and if desired, make an offer to buy a share of a team. Offers to sell and buy can be handled as either fixed price transactions or as auction-style bidding. Team owners split profits with investors according to ownership percentage. Investor pools and partnerships are possible, and many other features for facilitating investment transactions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fantasy Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Jay Wolgin
  • Patent number: 9865131
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine that can offer various play patterns and payout patterns without giving the player distrust or uncomfortableness. Upon establishment of a bonus trigger, a main CPU conducts a jackpot challenge lottery; if a jackpot is drawn, conducts another lottery to select either one of the prizes, Credit or Jackpot+Credit; if the prize Credit is drawn, pays out a determined amount to be credited; if the prize Jackpot+Credit is drawn, conducts another lottery for a jackpot prize, and pays out the amount corresponding to the drawn prize and the amount to be credited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenta Kitamura, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Susumu Mio, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 9833694
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are described for providing rewards, awards, and other incentives to players based on the activities of associated players is described. In some examples, the technology determines an activity level for players associated with a distinguished player, such as friends and other players within a social or game network, and rewards the distinguished player based on their activity levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Anand Adi Subramani
  • Patent number: 9786130
    Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention stores a bet area on which a bet is placed through a gaming terminal and a game value placed as the bet, determines a resulting symbol from a plurality of symbols, rotates the wheel based on an operation of the lever in one of the plurality of gaming terminals, whose lever has been activated, stops the rotation of the wheel so that the pointer points a symbol arrangement area with the resulting symbol, and awards a payout based on the resulting symbol and the odds set for the bet area in which the bet is placed through the gaming terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kido, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 9770655
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for establishing and reestablishing associations between users of game devices. In one embodiment, information about an association between a user of a first game device and a user of a second game device is stored in the nonvolatile memories of first and second game media, the first and second game media being communicatively coupled with the first and second game devices respectively. If the first game device loses track of the association (e.g., the user of the first game devices swaps out the first game medium for another one, or the memory resident on the first game medium is corrupted/erased), an association notification received at the first game device from the second game device may be used to reestablish the association at the first game device. In this manner, previously established associations between users of game devices may be automatically established/reestablished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gosztyla, Martin Poulin, Daren Smith, Mark McArthur
  • Patent number: 9737988
    Abstract: Methods and devices for demonstrating three-player pursuit-evasion (PE) game are provided using a hardware-in-loop test-bed. Robots including pursuer robots and an evader robot are arranged on a solid surface. A drone is positioned flying above to oversee the robots to capture a video or an image sequence of the robots. A robot thread process and a drone thread process are implemented by a computer. In the robot thread process, a tracking-by-detection process is perform to provide a state of the robot including a location and a heading direction of the robot; a delay compensation is conducted; and a PE game is called to calculate a robot command. In the drone thread process, a drone control is calculated to make the drone follow an evader robot, the drone control is sent to the drone, and user commands are also checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Fusion Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Khanh D. Pham, Dan Shen, Genshe Chen, Haibin Ling, Erik Blasch
  • Patent number: 9737784
    Abstract: An automated officiating and player development system for a game played on a court with a net. The system utilizes arrays of optical imaging devices that are positioned near the net and face outwardly toward the two halves of the court. Each of the arrays scan across the court in two scan fields, wherein a first scan field projects across the court in an area below the an elevated second scan field. The second scan field is positioned a few inches above the first scan field. In this manner, any object that contacts the court from above must pass through both the first scan field and the second scan field. Separate arrays of optical detecting devices are positioned along the net. All the arrays produce pixilated images of any object they scan. A processor analyzes the pixilated images to identify the pixilated images of the detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Acculines, LLC
    Inventors: David Kliebhan, Andrew Hatstat
  • Patent number: 9713773
    Abstract: A game system executes a first match based on at least one first game object which a first player uses and a plurality of opponent game objects which an opponent uses and are not the opponent itself, executes a second match based on at least one second game object which a second player uses and the plurality of opponent game objects, and identifies at least one opponent game object which is selected by the first player as at least one selected game object. The game system also acquires input information that is input by the first player during or after the first match in regard to the at least one selected game object. The game system records, in an online storage, the input information in association with the at least one selected game object and presents to the second player, the input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9700797
    Abstract: An electronic book apparatus displays an event invitation icon along with the contents of a book wherein the event invitation icon represents an event data that includes text files and/or game data files that relate to the contents of a specified part of the contents of the book. When a player selects the event invitation icon while reading the contents of the book, the apparatus presents the text as shown in the text files or executes a game from the game data files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Itahana, Motomu Toriyama
  • Patent number: 9682321
    Abstract: Techniques for multiple frame distributed rendering of interactive content are described. In implementations, interactive content includes various types of visual content, such as video games, interactive videos, interactive applications, and so forth. Interactive content includes scene objects, such as graphical renderings of visual scenery and background images. Interactive content also includes interactive objects, such as avatars and/or other visuals that can be displayed in the context of scene objects and that can be manipulated in response to user input. In at least some embodiments, scene objects can be rendered over multiple frames of interactive content prior to being displayed, and interactive objects can be rendered and displayed more frequently, e.g., with each frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Damiano Luciano Iannetta
  • Patent number: 9662557
    Abstract: A therapeutic training device includes a shallow housing of a specific shape with a quadratic top surface, a quadratic bottom surface and four thin rectangular side surfaces. The housing includes an upwardly open cavity in the top surface and a flexible and transparent cover which encloses the cavity at least partially. The flexible and transparent cover has a size in the range between the size of a human fist and the size of a human foot, and defines a central part. The housing further includes a force sensor placed inside the cavity communicating with the central part. The force sensor measures the force applied on the flexible and transparent cover and generates a response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ENTERTAINMENT ROBOTICS/H. H. LUND
    Inventor: Henrik Hautop Lund
  • Patent number: 9662575
    Abstract: A computer is operated to receive a current game state of a game being executed on a client computer system from a subset of game code. A determination is made of respective probabilities for advancement from the current game state to a set of possible later game states. Game code required for the set of possible later game states is prioritized in accordance with the determined probabilities for advancement from the current game state to each of the set of possible later game states. Game code required for the set of possible later game states is transmitted from a server computer system to the client computer system in order of the prioritized game code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Rui Filipe Andrade Pereira, David Perry, Andrew Buchanan Gault
  • Patent number: 9659443
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for electronically transferring currency from a source user account to a target user account in relation to a game application. A payment service provider may receive a request to transfer an amount of currency from the source user account to the target user account to be used for the game application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Lucy Ma Zhao