Patents by Inventor Ellen Beeman

Ellen Beeman 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: 8209041
    Abstract: A system and methods for conveying private information to a player in a multiplayer game being viewed by multiple players on a single screen. Each player is provided with a controller, which in one embodiment, includes a first input device and a second input device. The game system displays instructions on the screen prompting each player to select the first input device on the controller to ask a first question or select the second input device of the controller to ask a second question. Based on which input device each player selects, the game system displays an answer on the screen. The answers are viewable by all players. However, only each player knows what question they asked the game system to answer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ellen Beeman
  • Publication number: 20090124380
    Abstract: A system and methods for conveying private information to a player in a multiplayer game being viewed by multiple players on a single screen. Each player is provided with a controller, which in one embodiment, includes a first input device and a second input device. The game system displays instructions on the screen prompting each player to select the first input device on the controller to ask a first question or select the second input device of the controller to ask a second question. Based on which input device each player selects, the game system displays an answer on the screen. The answers are viewable by all players. However, only each player knows what question they asked the game system to answer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ellen Beeman