Patents Examined by Thomas H Henry
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Patent number: 9364759Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing an online game, comprising the steps of: maintaining an event database recording an aggressive point generation function corresponding to each predetermined event; receiving a particular event from a player character; identifying an aggressive point generation function corresponding to the particular event by referring to the event database; generating aggressive point information according to receipt of the particular event, on the basis of the identified aggressive point generation function; recording the generated aggressive point information in a predetermined monster information database in association with the player character; and determining a target for attack of a monster on the basis of the aggressive point information recorded in the monster information database, and a system thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: NHN Entertainment CorporationInventor: Dong Eun Kim
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Patent number: 9367987Abstract: This document describes techniques for selecting lighting colors in wagering game systems. In some embodiments, a wagering game machine comprising a game controller configured to determine a result for a wagering game, and control presentation of video content indicating the results for the wagering game. The game controller can also select, in response to the result, lighting content and one or more color pallets, wherein the lighting content defines choreographed lighting effects, and wherein the one or more color pallets define coloring for the lighting effects. The wagering game machine can also include a lighting engine configured to randomly select colors from the one or more color pallets, and control presentation of the lighting effects based on the lighting content and the randomly selected colors.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Paul J. Radek
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Patent number: 9342952Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating an inventory list of the components installed on electronic gaming machines, including receiving, from an input device, an input signal indicating the identity and location of a gaming machine, an electronic signature of each installed component, receiving the electronic signature and software components which should be installed on the gaming machine, and comparing electronic signature of the components. If the electronic signature of the components does not match the received electronic signature of what should be installed on the gaming machine, and sending a confirmation to the inventory database component indicating the correct software is not installed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Gaming Laboratories International, Inc.Inventors: Zachary Hollis, Christopher Van Emmerik
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Patent number: 9283484Abstract: Game rhythm in an electronic game can be synchronized, allowing a desired emotional state to be achieved. Specifically, a desired emotional state of a user playing an electronic game is identified. Then a beats-per-minute (bpm) level corresponding to the desired emotional state is selected. Game music may then be played at the selected bpm level, while animation for one or more game objects within the electronic game is synchronized with the selected bpm level. In some example embodiments, the game rhythm is synchronized based upon which game object a user selects, and there remain some game objects whose animations are synchronized at a different bpm level than the selected game object.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventor: Michael McCarthy
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Patent number: 9275513Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to communication methods in gaming networks using portable devices. In some networks portable devices communicate information about the status of particular gaming machines on the gaming network. In other networks portable devices are used as a secondary display for the gaming device. In yet other networks bonus games may be played on the portable devices. Further embodiments include a portable device that operates to match a current state of a game to a pre-defined state or states.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANYInventor: John F. Acres
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Patent number: 9272212Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: John Osvald, Michael Waite, Kyle Sauger, Lauren Duncan, Erik Nilsson
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Patent number: 9269233Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a poker-themed wagering game. A basic wager is accepted to play the poker-themed wagering game via a wager input device. A plurality of symbol-bearing objects are provided to form a user-playable hand on a display. A payoff is awarded based on a non-monetary ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion via a controller. The opportunity to earn a bonus feature is provided. The bonus feature has an expected value based on the ranking of the user playable hand meeting one of the predetermined criterion.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Brian Manning
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Patent number: 9259641Abstract: An entertainment device comprises a detector operable to detect whether a representation of a game feature of one or more games associated with the entertainment device should be obtained from the one or more games in response to a predetermined game event of the one or more games, a processor operable to obtain the representation of the game feature from the one or more games, a storage arrangement operable to store the representation of the game feature obtained from the one or more games, and a renderer operable to render the obtained representation of the game feature stored in the storage arrangement as a game feature within a virtual environment associated with the entertainment device, the rendered game feature within the virtual environment being a trophy object.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe LimitedInventors: Tomas Owen Gillo, Mitchell Goodwin
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Patent number: 9254442Abstract: In a video game that progresses a game using a limited number of items, the game can be made more interesting. In an area data table 126-1 of a first area, a brand ‘CAT’ having a previous brand point ‘14%’ is ‘BEST 1’, and a brand ‘BOAR’ having a previous brand point ‘13%’ is ‘BEST 2’. In addition, a brand ‘TIGER’ having a previous brand point ‘3%’ is ‘WORST 2’, and a brand ‘RAT’ having a previous brand point ‘2%’ is ‘WORST 1’. Accordingly, if a player character executes a battle against an enemy character in the first area, when an item of the brand ‘CAT’, which is ‘BEST 1’, is used, its power becomes three times higher than a reference power, and when an item of the brand ‘BOAR’, which is ‘BEST 2’, is used, its power becomes one and half times higher than the reference power. In addition, when an item of the brand ‘TIGER’, which is ‘WORST 2’, is used, its power becomes 0.5 times lower than the reference power, and an item of the brand ‘RAT’, which is ‘WORST 1’, becomes unavailable.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIXInventors: Takeshi Arakawa, Tatsuya Kando, Tomohiro Hasegawa
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Patent number: 9257014Abstract: A computerized method includes creating an event associated with a number of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment, wherein the event is configured to provide an award comprising at least one of better pay tables, a number of free spins, unlocked content, and a jackpot award. The method also includes identifying persons to notify about the event prior to a time of the event. The method includes creating an event notification to notify the persons of the event. The method also includes outputting the event notification to the persons through a network communication using at least one of a social networking website, a micro-blogging website, text messaging, and an email.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Shridhar P. Joshi, Pamela S. Smith
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Patent number: 9257054Abstract: A method for monitoring a ball used for an athletic activity includes detecting movement of the ball at a first time, using a sensor module coupled to the ball, determining that the movement of the ball corresponds to a predetermined activation movement, entering an active state of the sensor module in response to the determination that the movement of the ball corresponds to the predetermined activation movement, and detecting movement of the ball at a second time, using the sensor module in the active state.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: ADIDAS AGInventors: Aurel Coza, Christian Dibenedetto, Jeffrey Allen
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Patent number: 9251665Abstract: A video poker game including a wild card feature is provided. For a play of the video poker game, a predetermined number of cards are randomly dealt from a players standard deck of 52 cards to form an initial player hand. If the player made a side bet, at least one up to the predetermined number of cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to form a house hand. Any cards in the initial player hand that match any cards in the house hand are automatically changed into a wild card. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the initial player hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the players deck to form a final player hand. The final player hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any awards are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: Kathleen Nylund Jackson
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Patent number: 9248371Abstract: Disclosed is an on-line role-playing game system and method in which buildings arranged on a road map are developed according to a degree of experience of a user who performs a quest. The method includes the steps of a) by a gamer, accessing an on-line role-playing game server; b) by the gamer, executing the on-line role-playing game; c) by the gamer, performing a quest of the on-line role-playing game; d) updating a degree of experience of the gamer when the gamer accomplishes the quest; and e) developing a building arranged on a road map for the performance of the quest in correspondence with the degree of experience of the gamer. According to the present invention, by applying a building development process to an on-line role-playing game, a limited map for progressing an RPG game story can be efficiently utilized, and, in addition, diverse maps reflecting characteristics of gamers who access the same game for a long time can be provided without imposing a burden on a game server.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: NHN Entertainment CorporationInventors: Sang-Bum Lim, Kyoung-Min Hwang
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Patent number: 9248376Abstract: Based on operation information obtained from an operating device for pointing to a position on a screen of a display device, a pointing position to which the operating device points is repeatedly calculated. Next, a change amount of the pointing position is calculated. Then, whether or not the change amount of the pointing position meets a first condition is determined. As a result, when it is determined that the change amount of the pointing position meets the first condition, predetermined processing is executed for the pointing position or a position specified based on the pointing position.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshikawa, Hitoshi Yamagami, Toshio Noguchi
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Patent number: 9251661Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a player Io participate in a live online card game. After a card is drawn, and before all players can see it, it is optionally squeezed, i.e. slowly revealed to one or more players, such as the players who placed the highest bet for a particular side. The gradual revealing of the cards is performed by capturing and broadcasting a representative of the particular side showing the cards to a capturing device, by broadcasting pre-recorded image streams, or by broadcasting an image stream generated by a computing platform after a card was scanned by a scanning device. The player can choose the part of the card being revealed, and its orientation.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: PLAYTECH SOFTWARE LIMITEDInventor: Raul Tammesoo
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Patent number: 9242175Abstract: Embodiments are presented for executing an online game. One method includes an operation for creating an animation on a game board that is associated with a player. The animation includes a non-player character that delivers an invitation to start a master mission having quests. If the player accepts, an application from the player is received to start the master mission, the application including the selection of a specialty from a plurality of specialties available for the master mission. The method further includes an operation for delivering a quest reward after completing at least one of the quests from the plurality of quests, where the quest reward includes a wearable status item for an avatar of the player in the game board. In addition, a master reward is delivered after the completion of the master mission. The master reward includes the ability to perform game operations associated with the specialty.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Michael Taylor John, William Graham, Xian Yang (Kenji) Low, Josh Wickham, Alexi Chialtas
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Patent number: 9233304Abstract: Technologies are generally described for load balancing for a game in a cloud computing environment hosting a game service. In some examples, a method may include analyzing a status of a player character located in a virtual space, the virtual space being configured to have a plurality of areas and the player character being located in a first area among the plurality of areas, calculating a probability of movement of the player character from the first area to a second area among the plurality of areas based at least in part on the analyzed status, and calculating an amount of cached data to copy from a second cache server corresponding to the second area to a first cache server corresponding to the first area based at least in part on the calculated probability.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLCInventors: Shuichi Kurabayashi, Naofumi Yoshida, Kosuke Takano
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Patent number: 9218717Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a gaming method, system and game controller for a game of skill. The result of the game of skill is evaluated to determine whether any potential award value for the game of skill is lost based on the player's skill based result. Potential award value for the game of skill may be lost as a result of application of the player's skill based result. Any lost potential award value is applied to a prize pool.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventor: Kuppam Y Indrakumar
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Patent number: 9208651Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display device configured to portray wagering game outcomes indicated by symbols populated in symbol arrays. The gaming system receives a first wager and displays a first symbol array to indicate the outcome for the first wager. The gaming system receives a second wager and displays a second symbol array to indicate the outcome for the second wager. During portrayal of the second outcome, the first symbol array is displayed simultaneously with the second symbol array, and the first symbol array is modified according to one or more symbols in the second symbol array. The gaming system provides an award according to the improvement, if any, in the second symbol array resulting from the modification.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Jaffe
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Patent number: 9205328Abstract: A videogame may be provided to one or more users in which characters controlled by users earn fans that impact the videogame similarly to fans in real life. For example, a character may earn virtual currency, be invited to participate in events and/or teams, obtain sponsorships, and/or experience other impacts associated with fanbase size. The videogame may include one or more primary objectives presented to the user. The performance of the primary objectives by the user may impact the progression of a character being controlled by the user through the videogame. The videogame may further include provide one or more fan objectives within the game which can be performed by the character being controlled by the user to earn fans to be included within a fanbase associated with the character in the game.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.Inventors: Charnjit Singh Bansi, Paul Kerby, Peter Hall, Gareth Wilson