Patents Examined by Thomas H Henry
  • Patent number: 11117045
    Abstract: A method for playing a hold 'em card game with two hands provides a variant to a standard hold 'em card game by dealing four hole cards to a player, and splitting the hole cards into two sets of hole cards, with each set of hole cards being independently played, bet, raised, or folded in relation to the same community cards. An initial round of wagering occurs, followed by dealing four hole cards to each player. The hole cards are split into two sets of hole cards that are played independently of each other. There is another round of betting, before a turn and a river are also dealt. If the dealer's best of five hands exceeds a poker hand ranking of the player's, the player forfeits the wager. If the player's best of five hands exceeds the dealer's, the player receives an equal amount of units to the wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: 2 HH, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chiang, Jarom Severson
  • Patent number: 11110354
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing a battle royale game using a supply box, the method comprising the steps of: (a) allowing a particular player to select a particular item owned by the particular player or allowing the particular item to be selected through a predetermined first algorithm in a first state by a game server; (b) when information relating to the particular item is acquired, generating a particular supply box including the particular item and corresponding to the particular player, and determining location information relating to a location on a map, at which the generated particular supply box is input when the game enters a second state later, by the game server; and (c) when the game has entered the second state, placing the particular supply box with reference to the location information and supporting the particular player to play the battle royale game by using the placed particular supply box by the game server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: WONDER PEOPLE CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Min Hur
  • Patent number: 11100746
    Abstract: A methodology and apparatus for providing casino game signage for a casino game which incorporates display information that is dynamically interchangeable between game specific and game non-specific information responsive to automatic detection of game play status at the game table. At least one electronic display is provided at respective casino game tables, and selected display information is wirelessly transmitted, and/or manually delivered, thereto. The display information which is displayed is dynamically selected based upon a sensor automatically detecting the status of play of the game, being game specific during play and selectively game specific and game non-specific during game play inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: VISUALIMITS, LLC
    Inventors: Perry Stasi, Ryan McClellan
  • Patent number: 11100748
    Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to execute instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, which, when executed by the game controller, cause the game controller to at least: (i) simulate spinning and stopping a first plurality of reels to display a first plurality of symbols from each reel of the first plurality of reels, wherein, while the first plurality of reels are spinning, a second plurality of reels are held stationary; (ii) determine whether the first plurality of symbols include at least one trigger symbol; and (iii) simulate spinning and stopping, in response to the at least one trigger symbol, the second plurality of reels to display a second plurality of symbols from each reel of the second plurality of reels, wherein, while the second plurality of reels are spinning, the first plurality of reels are held stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: David Marsh, Karl Roelofs
  • Patent number: 11069180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ACRES TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 11040283
    Abstract: On a plurality of paths within a virtual space, objects moving in movement directions that are determined for the paths, respectively, are displayed. When an operation input has been performed by a player, whether a plurality of the objects that satisfy a predetermined condition have been designated is determined. When it is determined that the plurality of the objects that satisfy the predetermined condition have been designated, the plurality of the designated objects are caused to enter a state of being selected. At predetermined timing, control in which a display manner of selected objects that are the objects in the state of being selected is changed or the selected objects are eliminated from the path is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamagami, Kaori Ando, Takayasu Morisawa, Yuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11040285
    Abstract: An anti-cheat system may be accessed over a network and stored directly into volatile memory of a user computing system. In some embodiments, this anti-cheat system may scan, or access portions of, the volatile memory of the user computing system to detect whether cheat software or other unauthorized software that may interact with a game application is detected on the user computing system. The accessed portions of the volatile memory may be compared with one or more signatures that are associated with the execution of cheat software on a computing system. The anti-cheat system may be prevented from being stored within non-volatile memory, thereby preventing malicious users from modifying the anti-cheat system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bo Lundquist, Niklas Per Sandén
  • Patent number: 11024128
    Abstract: Wagering games, bonus games, secondary games and/or progressive games can be enabled on a gaming system having: a set of gaming elements having a readable indicia thereon or a sensing system indicating the presence of a gaming element at a specific location and the generation of a gaming value for a sensed gaming element; a motivating system for physically moving and distributing random individual gaming elements from a set of gaming elements to individual positions within a receptor element; a sensing system configured to sense information on individual gaming elements, the information relating to at least one of game values or symbols; wherein the sensing system is in data communication connectivity with a processor and the processor is configured to determine a specific game value related to a basis for determining a game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTERBLOCK D.D.
    Inventors: Joze Pececnik, Jamie Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 11020673
    Abstract: User-involved battle development with strategic or tactical elements in a game is enabled. A method, implemented in a computer including a control unit, for providing a battle game in which a user repeatedly attacks and defends against an opponent using a plurality of objects placed in a plurality of areas arranged in a matrix, includes: a selection step of causing the user to select an area from the plurality of areas, and holding the area which has been already selected as a selected area; a first execution step of causing an object placed in the selected area, to execute a first action; a determination step of determining whether or not a combination of an already selected area and the currently selected area matches at least one line which is any of a row, a column, and a diagonal of the matrix; and a second execution step of causing an object to execute a second action, in the case where the determination step determines that the combination matches the at least one line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Higo
  • Patent number: 11007441
    Abstract: Systems and methods of evolving content for computer games are disclosed. One such method comprises tracking popularity according to one or more users of at least a portion of a plurality of game content items available in a game world. The game world is associated with the game. The game world also comprises evolving an additional game content item based on the popularity of the tracked game content items. The usage of each tracked game content item determines a reproduction availability of the tracked game content item. The game world also comprises inserting the additional game content item into the game world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Stanley, Erin J. Hastings
  • Patent number: 10987590
    Abstract: Systems and methods for incentivizing user participation in gameplay events that take place in an online game are presented herein. The gameplay events may include one or more time intervals that take place during the duration of the gameplay event. The time intervals may be associated with incentivizing one or more actions and/or activities by the users during the intervals. The users may be distributed awards based on their performance during the intervals. The awards associated with time interval performance may impact awards distributed based on final ranking in the gameplay event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Luther Patenge, Dylan Ortiz, Luc Pieron, Thomas Baxter, Henry Rull
  • Patent number: 10987595
    Abstract: A videogame services platform may include a streaming component that streams audio and video of gameplay performed on a first client device. The platform may identify content present in the stream and provide notification, to a broadcaster portal, that content present in the stream is available for purchase. An identifier of the content may be mapped to a stock keeping unit for a product containing the content. The product may be acquired using the stock keeping unit. The second client device may be updated to make the content available and authorized for use in gameplay on the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Simon, Xiaolin Cui, Alfred Yong-Hock Tan, Emmett Shear
  • Patent number: 10987581
    Abstract: A system and method configured to enhance gameplay between users in an online game and to provide enhanced interest in virtual goods associated with collections of virtual goods through the ability to rotate drop rates associated with these virtual goods from time to time. The system and method includes the provision of functionality which allows providers of online games to periodically rotate drop rates associated with mystery boxes in order to maintain and/or generate additional interest in specific mystery boxes. As a result, it is possible for game operators to enhance revenue opportunities associated with these boxes even in the case where such boxes have been available for a relatively lengthy period of time and/or where players would have otherwise lost interest in specific boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Luc Pieron, Thomas Baxter, Henry Rull
  • Patent number: 10981057
    Abstract: An example information processing apparatus executes a setting process of setting a content set including a plurality of game contents for a player of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus executes a selection process of selecting at least one game content from the content set. A game content is chosen, according to a predetermine rule, from a game content group including a plurality of game contents selected by performing the selection process on each of content sets that have been set for a plurality of players. A game process based on the chosen game content is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Miyuki Hirose, Tsutomu Komiyama
  • Patent number: 10946284
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Imagination Park Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yousuf Chowdhary, Jeffrey Brunet, Ravinder (“Ray”) Sharma
  • Patent number: 10933328
    Abstract: A method includes communicatively coupling a physical object with a body. One or more of the body or the physical object has connectivity to a computer having a processor. The method also includes detecting a sound determined to match an audio fingerprint. The method further includes setting a function of the physical object based on the audio fingerprint. The method additionally includes generating a virtual representation of the physical object and the body in a virtual reality viewable by way of a display associated with the computer. Generating the virtual representation of the physical object and the body includes orienting a virtual version of the physical object with respect to a virtual version of the body. The method also includes causing the virtual version of the physical object to be usable in accordance with the function of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PLAYFUSION LIMITED
    Inventors: Riaan Hodgson, David Gomberg, Mark Gerhard
  • Patent number: 10933323
    Abstract: A class of games and activities of skill and logic, particularly puzzles based on reason and logic are described. Disclosed are a method and a system for comparing solutions to the puzzles based on the paths to solution and for completion of the activities based on the order of carrying out the steps of the activity. A number of applications of the method are disclosed for development of further puzzles and activities from the initial puzzle or activity, as well as for other enriching experiences and expressions, particularly the method of providing a priori or real time hints to a participant to solve the puzzle or advance in the activity. Also disclosed is a particular, novel method for participation by remote audience in logic and skill based activities such as creating or improving known logic puzzles and wagering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Indu M. Anand, Ishan Anand
  • Patent number: 10926180
    Abstract: Controlling the display of a computer device to deliver functions of a new type of clicker game, in which a player can control the location at which a booster is created on a game board. This provides a player with many more strategic options over game play because the clearing effects of a booster can be targeted more effectively. A game element which a player selects (clicks) to remove a group of adjacent matching game elements is identified and its location on the game board is ‘reserved’. When the game board refills, the ‘reserved’ location is not refilled, but remains as a ‘soft void’ in which a booster object can be created after refill has taken place. At that point the booster may be activated (automatically or by user interaction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Dennis Gustafsson, Grant Lafarge, Gerardo Basurto
  • Patent number: 10921877
    Abstract: A silhouette-based limb finder may be used to detect limbs from a camera image. This limb determination may be used to control an application, such as a game, or a combination with other image processing. A first distance field indicating a distance from the edge of a silhouette in an image and a second distance field indicating distance from a location in the silhouette may be used to generate a path from an extremity point on the silhouette to the location. This path then may be used to determine a limb in the silhouette. This allows tracking of limbs even for hard to detect player poses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Hoof, Daniel G. Kennett
  • Patent number: 10922917
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing personal preferences and interests of end-users by engaging one or more end-users in a game in which the end-user may be given a chance to win a product item from a collection of product items selected by the end-user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Transform SR Brands LLC
    Inventor: Frederick W. Skoler