Patents Examined by William Brewster
  • Patent number: 9070242
    Abstract: Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating and/or enabling user controllable granularity in multi-player gaming environments for enabling a user (e.g., Target Player) to selectively allow/prevent game event influence/outcome by other players and/or groups of players participating in a multi-player game. At least a portion of the game event influence/outcome techniques disclosed herein may be operable to provide event influence/outcome functionality for facilitating user controllable granularity in multi-player gaming environments for enabling individual players of that game to granularly and selectively control the degree and/or type of influence other players of the game may have on game event outcomes relating to the game being played by that individual player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Creations, LLC
    Inventor: James Peter Kosta
  • Patent number: 8888601
    Abstract: A gaming system identifies players in a game. A player interaction score may be computed for an identified player. One or more engagement actions may be generated based on the player interaction score. The gaming system may engage the identified player according to the one or more engagement actions. In some embodiments, the player interaction score may be used to categorize the identified player in a player segment, which in turn may be used as a basis for generating engagement actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Andreas Vogel, Christian Scheelen
  • Patent number: 8851953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a building block system having modules that can be plugged together, wherein electronic and mechanical components required for motion and control are provided in the modules. The object of the invention is to provide a building block system, which facilitates constructing mobile models from simple building blocks. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a building block system having movable modules, wherein the building block system includes at least one energy module, at least one control module having a micro-controller, at least one movement module having an integrated servo motor, and a plurality of connection modules that can be randomly connected with each other, wherein the modules are connectable through plug connections enabling current flow between adjacent modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kinematics GmbH
    Inventors: Leonhard Oschuetz, Wolfgang Sattler
  • Patent number: 8851966
    Abstract: A gaming system may include an event filter to identify players as targets for engagement. The player may be modeled to predict what they might do under a given situation. One or more engagement actions may be developed based at least on the player's predicted behaviour. The player is then engaged in accordance with the engagement actions. Results from engagements with many players may be assessed and the gaming system may be adjusted according to the assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Andreas Vogel
  • Patent number: 8851993
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a game device. The game device includes an indication acceptance unit for accepting an indication for determining an amount of movement, a movement amount determination unit for determining an amount of movement on the prescribed route, a position updating unit for updating positions of all player characters on the route in accordance with the determined amount of movement, and an event processing unit for executing an event on the player character and the indication acceptance unit includes a normal indication acceptance unit for accepting a normal indication for determining a normal amount of movement and a special indication acceptance unit for accepting a special indication for determining an amount of movement different from normal, which is executed alternative to the normal indication and of which number of permitted times of issuance by the plurality of player characters is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichiro Nishiya, Tatsumitsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8851987
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a signal representative of a displacement of at least a portion of a computer mouse from a surface of a mouse pad, and causing a change in a state of a video game presented by a gaming system according to the signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Steelseries ApS
    Inventors: Francis Arnold Grever, Bruce Hawver, Jacob Wolff-Petersen
  • Patent number: 8852001
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming system for presenting tournament games includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a tournament server as well as a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment. Each gaming device is configured to enable concurrent play of a base game and on-demand tournament games in which the on-demand tournament games are player initiated. The tournament server manages play of the on-demand tournament games. The plurality of tournament displays are positioned throughout a gaming establishment, and the tournament displays are also in communication with the tournament server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Pravinkumar Patel, Anthony E. Green, John E. Link, Gennady Soliterman, Jeffrey L. Allen, Dennis Lockard, Jeffrey C. Tallcott, Joshua D. Larsen, Thomas Scott, Christopher D. Barton, Sudheer Vemuri, Mettu R. Reddy
  • Patent number: 8851977
    Abstract: A dual switchable LCD display is disclosed that allows the juxtaposition of a front and rear image. A rear switchable screen is in proximity to the projector system. The rear image is projected on the rear screen at a first time interval. The rear switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the rear screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the rear screen. A front switchable screen overlays the rear switchable screen. The projector system projects the front image on the front screen at a second time interval. The front switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the front screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the front screen. A controller periodically cycles the respective closed and open states between the first and second time intervals to present a juxtaposition of the front image and the rear image to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8845435
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of distributing toy objects is provided. The method includes: providing a toy object and a task identifier, the task identifier identifying a task; receiving, via a website, task-completion input from a user; associating the user with a profile, the profile being associated with the toy object; updating the profile to indicate that the task had been performed; identifying reward criteria; determining whether the reward criteria was met; and, upon determining that the reward criteria was met, initializing distribution of a physical reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Bogan, Erin Bogan
  • Patent number: 8845425
    Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nogami, Tomoaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8845412
    Abstract: A mystery-bingo jackpot having increased payout opportunities provides a dynamic bonus game where achievement of a secondary winning outcome initiates an award payout without resetting the jackpot's amount. The secondary winning outcome will typically be configured to have a higher likelihood of occurrence as compared to other winning outcomes of the mystery-bingo jackpot. In this way, the mystery-bingo jackpot provides payouts relatively often while preserving the value of the jackpot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Olsen Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Eric B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 8834263
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a controlled entity hybrid game. A controlled entity hybrid game includes a real world engine constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits from at least one wager in a gambling game, an entertainment software engine constructed to execute an entertainment game providing outcomes based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game; and a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment software engine and communicate, to the gambling game, a gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon a player's instruction of a controlled entity to consume an element of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game, and change the element on the basis of the randomly generated payout and an entertainment game variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 8834276
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for cross-promoting electronic games is provided. First and second electronic game databases are configured to store first and second game user attributes relating to first and second electronic game, respectively. An aggregator database is coupled to the first and second electronic game databases and is configured to store a first game user attribute, associated with the user and relating to a first electronic game, and user data of a user of the first electronic game. A processor is coupled to the aggregator database and configured to automatically associate a second game user attribute to the user according to a predetermined rule based on at least one of the first game user attribute stored in the aggregator database and the user data. The second game user attribute associated to the user by the processor is stored in the aggregator database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McCaffrey, Yan Zhang, Cadir Lee
  • Patent number: 8834245
    Abstract: An example video game includes a virtual game world including a video game character movable within the virtual game world and one or more targets. A first target in the virtual game world can be locked onto so that the first target remains substantially at the center of a field of view of the game character within the virtual game world. A reticle may be moved to target one or more second targets in the virtual game world while the first target remains locked onto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Melanie Haigh-Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 8834258
    Abstract: A gaming system includes instructions that cause the gaming system to receive an input indicative of a wager, display a plurality of reels defining a symbol array, and display a symbol-alteration region including at least two symbol positions and extending through a subset of the symbol array at a predefined position. The plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbols moving through the symbol array. The plurality of symbols includes a special symbol that has a first function for evaluating a game outcome. The symbol-alteration region is positioned such that at least some of the symbols move between a first position outside the symbol-alteration region and a second position within the symbol-alteration region. The instructions further cause the gaming system to, in response to the special symbol stopping within the symbol-alteration region, alter a functionality of the special symbol to include a second function for evaluating the game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander J. Gobe, Daniel P. Louie, David M. Pryor, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 8827790
    Abstract: A method for playing a multi-level game of chance wherein players can advance to the next level with a win. As the game progresses through levels, non-winning players are eliminated and winning players are segregated by type of win. In general, each level provides greater winnings. In another example game format, a progressive jackpot may also be offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Scott Weller, Matthew Ross
  • Patent number: 8827795
    Abstract: A method for verifying the age or location of a player of an Internet-based lottery game entails providing lottery tickets for purchase by players at an authorized retail location, the lottery tickets having a game authorization code that is entered by the initiate play of the Internet-based lottery game on an internet enabled device. The age of the player is verified at the retail location and a separate verification password is entered via a terminal that is in communication with to the lottery system central computer, with the password linked to the game authorization code. Upon initiating play of the game via a web site, the player enters the verification password separately from the game authorization code. An Internet game server communicates with the lottery system central computer to ensure that the entered verification password corresponds to the linked verification password prior to permitting play of the Internet-based lottery game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Charles Kline, Gary Streeter
  • Patent number: 8827819
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an interface utilized to enhance production of the electronic gaming device. The systems and methods may allow for easier installation of the cabinet and pedestal via utilization of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Thompson
  • Patent number: 8821264
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a controlled entity hybrid game. The controlled entity hybrid game, includes a real world engine constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits from at least one wager in a gambling game, an entertainment software engine constructed to execute an entertainment game providing outcomes based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game, and a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment software engine and communicate, to the gambling game, a gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon a player's instruction of a controlled entity to consume an enabling element of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 8821208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for interacting amusement. The apparatus includes an acoustic receiver, a decoder and an interaction generating apparatus. The acoustic receiver receives an external acoustic wave signal and transfers the external acoustic wave signal into an acoustic signal. The decoder receives the acoustic signal. When the external acoustic wave signal has a high-frequency modulation signal, the decoder decodes the high-frequency modulation signal into a complete packet message according to a specific decoding procedure. The interaction generating apparatus receives the complete packet message, and generates an interaction according to the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Generalplus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Sheng Hsu