Patents by Inventor Darren C. Smith

Darren C. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10360278
    Abstract: An example method of accessing a web page includes receiving audio output from speakers of electronic equipment; detecting a cue in the received audio output; determining a web address based on the detected cue; and connecting to a web page using the web address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10293258
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9729478
    Abstract: An example network server computer includes communication circuitry configured for internet communication with electronic devices; memory configured to store friend lists for respective users and user data comprising status data for respective users; and a processor configured to control the network server computer to perform operations including: receiving, via the communication circuitry, status data including activity information indicative of current activities of users of two or more electronic devices; updating the user data based on the received status data; and providing, to a user, status data indicative of respective current activities of one or more friends on the friend list of the user even if the current activities of the user and the one or more friends are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey J. Pelkey, Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9716678
    Abstract: An example network server computer includes communication circuitry configured for communication with electronic devices of users; memory; and a processor configured to control the network server computer to at least receive, via the communication circuitry, from electronic devices of users, user profiles and user preferences for respective users and store, in the memory, the received user profiles and user preferences; and provide access to user profiles in response to access requests received, via the communication circuitry, from electronic devices of user. Access to each respective user's user profile is controlled in accordance with one or more of the user preferences of the respective user, and the one or more user preferences comprise a first preference setting for allowing all other users to access the user's user profile and a second preference setting for allowing only friends on the user's friend list to access the user's user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey J. Pelkey, Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170136360
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Darren C. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9592445
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160234138
    Abstract: An example network server computer includes communication circuitry configured for internet communication with electronic devices; memory configured to store friend lists for respective users and user data comprising status data for respective users; and a processor configured to control the network server computer to perform operations including: receiving, via the communication circuitry, status data including activity information indicative of current activities of users of two or more electronic devices; updating the user data based on the received status data; and providing, to a user, status data indicative of respective current activities of one or more friends on the friend list of the user even if the current activities of the user and the one or more friends are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Casey J. PELKEY, Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160088122
    Abstract: An example network server computer includes communication circuitry configured for communication with electronic devices of users; memory; and a processor configured to control the network server computer to at least receive, via the communication circuitry, from electronic devices of users, user profiles and user preferences for respective users and store, in the memory, the received user profiles and user preferences; and provide access to user profiles in response to access requests received, via the communication circuitry, from electronic devices of user. Access to each respective user's user profile is controlled in accordance with one or more of the user preferences of the respective user, and the one or more user preferences comprise a first preference setting for allowing all other users to access the user's user profile and a second preference setting for allowing only friends on the user's friend list to access the user's user profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Casey J. PELKEY, Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9282069
    Abstract: An example system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey J. Pelkey, Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150290544
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Darren C. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20150190714
    Abstract: An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Darren C. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9067133
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8986112
    Abstract: An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8910557
    Abstract: A payload deployment system includes a mount for receiving one or more payload modules that each include one or more payloads to be deployed. The payload modules also each include a sleeve, with the one or more payloads are in one or more openings in the sleeve. The payloads may be contained in respective containers, such as hermetically-sealed containers, that are in the openings. The electrical coupling may be wireless coupling, for transferring electrical power to the payload module(s), and for communication, such as networked communication, between the mount and the one or more payload modules. The wireless coupling may be inductive coupling that involves overlap of inductive elements such as wire coils. The payload deployment system may also include one or more translators for translating commands and/or other communications between the one or more payload modules and a platform to which the payload deployment system is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Raython Company
    Inventors: Donald P Cox, Robert W Knox, Derek S Wall, Michael D Stokes, Darren C Smith, Scott G Martin, Michael J Holt, Bradley M Gaul
  • Publication number: 20140228126
    Abstract: An example system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey J. PELKEY, Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140208927
    Abstract: A payload deployment system includes a mount for receiving one or more payload modules that each include one or more payloads to be deployed. The payload modules also each include a sleeve, with the one or more payloads are in one or more openings in the sleeve. The payloads may be contained in respective containers, such as hermetically-sealed containers, that are in the openings. The electrical coupling may be wireless coupling, for transferring electrical power to the payload module(s), and for communication, such as networked communication, between the mount and the one or more payload modules. The wireless coupling may be inductive coupling that involves overlap of inductive elements such as wire coils. The payload deployment system may also include one or more translators for translating commands and/or other communications between the one or more payload modules and a platform to which the payload deployment system is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald P. Cox, Robert W. Knox, Derek S. Wall, Michael D. Stokes, Darren C. Smith, Scott G. Martin, Michael J. Holt, Bradley M. Gaul
  • Patent number: 8727883
    Abstract: A messaging system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey J. Pelkey, Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8696464
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130296052
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Darren C. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8500558
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith