Patents by Inventor Kouichi Kawamoto

Kouichi Kawamoto 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: 9282319
    Abstract: A hand-held image display apparatus includes a touch panel, a stereoscopic display apparatus, a first imaging section, and a second imaging section. The hand-held image display apparatus detects a marker from a real world image shot by at least one of the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and determines the relative positions of a virtual object and a pair of virtual cameras with respect to each other in a virtual space, based on the result of the detection. Then, the hand-held image display apparatus superimposes virtual space images drawn based on the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera, onto the real world images shot by the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and displays images that are stereoscopically visible by naked eyes, on the stereoscopic display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Konno, Ryuji Umezu, Kenichi Sugino, Kouichi Kawamoto, Kenta Kubo
  • Publication number: 20160030842
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a micon, and the micon measures step counts in correspondence with the magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor when a user carries the game apparatus in a sleep mode in which the apparatus is closed. The step counts are converted into earned coins. In each of a plurality of games executed by the game apparatus, by using the earned coins, a special item is purchased, playing in a special course is permitted, a hint is displayed, and a game is played in fast-forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kouichi KAWAMOTO, Kanako TSUGIHASHI, Ryutaro TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 9199167
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a micon, and the micon measures step counts in correspondence with the magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor when a user carries the game apparatus in a sleep mode in which the apparatus is closed. The step counts are converted into earned coins. In each of a plurality of games executed by the game apparatus, by using the earned coins, a special item is purchased, playing in a special course is permitted, a hint is displayed, and a game is played in fast-forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Kanako Tsugihashi, Ryutaro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9144738
    Abstract: Subject-data-to-be-collected representing an element to be collected is generated or selected, when a server and any one of a plurality of hand-held information terminals cooperate with each other to perform predetermined information processing by using data transmitted and received between the server and the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals. Each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals transmits to and receives from another one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, the subject-data-to-be-collected. Thus, pleasure of collecting the subject-data-to-be-collected by communication among the hand-held information terminals, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Kiyofumi Funahashi
  • Patent number: 9092894
    Abstract: A game device stores data of news information related to a plurality of news locations on a map. The game device divides the news locations into groups, and sets a determination region for each group. Further, the game device receives an input of designating a position in a display region from the user. When the designated position is within a determination region, news information related to one or more news locations included in a group corresponding to the determination region is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Satoru Takahata
  • Publication number: 20150065244
    Abstract: A game apparatus obtains a captured image from a camera, and repeatedly executes a recognition process on the obtained captured image for recognizing a predetermined object included in the captured image. The game apparatus repeatedly generates and displays a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process with a captured image which is a subject of the recognition process. Here, if the recognition process fails, a captured image which is a subject of a recognition process which has succeeded before is synthesized with an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kouichi KAWAMOTO, Shinji KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20140351089
    Abstract: An example system includes an information processing apparatus having a communication part for making communication via a network; a selling processing part for performing a process for selling product; a restart judging part for judging whether, after a process using the communication part and being included in the process performed by the selling processing part is interrupted, the interrupted process can be restarted or not; and a restarting part for restarting the process performed by the selling processing part from a predetermined point in the processing stage of the process in the case that the restart judging part judged that the process can be restarted, and a server apparatus having a communication part for making communication with the information processing apparatus via a network and a selling processing part for performing a process for selling product between the information processing apparatus and the server apparatus by using communication via the communication part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi KAWAMOTO, Ryusuke NIITANI
  • Publication number: 20140349749
    Abstract: An example information processing system includes a display controller configured to display a screen that includes a plurality of subjects and at least one content generated by a user, the at least one content satisfying a predetermined timing condition for each subject in a display, at least one content for a subject being included in a plurality of contents posted with regard to the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi NOGAMI, Kiyoshi MIZUKI, Kouichi KAWAMOTO, Ryota OIWA, Ichiro SUZUKI, Wataru TANAKA, Hideto YUZAWA, Shunsaku KATO
  • Publication number: 20140337986
    Abstract: An information processing system 100 includes an information processing apparatus 10 and a data providing server 20 that are capable of communication with each other over an IP network 40. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 11 storing an integrated application program which includes a plurality of optional application programs that are independent of each other and which provides a cooperation function for the plurality of optional application programs. The data providing server 20 includes a storage unit 21 storing content data that is to be used by the optional application program. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 13 for acquiring the content data from the data providing server 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8882591
    Abstract: A game apparatus obtains a captured image from a camera, and repeatedly executes a recognition process on the obtained captured image for recognizing a predetermined object included in the captured image. The game apparatus repeatedly generates and displays a synthesized age obtained by synthesizing an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process with a captured image which is a subject of the recognition process. Here, if the recognition process fails, a captured image which is a subject of a recognition process which has succeeded before is synthesized with an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Shinji Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20140325017
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program, and this information processing program causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a close proximity communication unit 13 and an information processing unit 12. The close proximity communication unit 13 receives communication history data indicating a history of communication of application data by an information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication from the information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication. The information processing unit 12 performs predetermined information processing with the communication history data received by the close proximity communication unit 13 as a parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140325528
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program that causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a data storage unit 11 storing at least one of first data that can be used by a charged application and second data that can be used by a preinstalled application, a close proximity communication unit 13 for transmitting/receiving at least one of the first data and the second data to/from another information processing apparatus 10C using wireless communication, and an information processing unit 12 for performing, in a case where the first data is received from the other information processing apparatus 10C, predetermined information processing of the charged application based on the first data, and for updating, in a case where the second data, and not the first data, is received from the other information processing apparatus 10C, the first data using the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8874037
    Abstract: Another information processing apparatus in a communicable range of a short-distance wireless communication is repeatedly searched for, and wireless communication is automatically established therewith, first data is automatically transmitted to the other information processing apparatus with which the wireless communication has been established, and first data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus is automatically received by means of the short-distance wireless communication. Further, transmission of second data is permitted which is different from first data to the other information processing apparatus with which the transmission/reception of the first data has been performed before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Fujiwara, Kouichi Kawamoto, Yuichiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8840469
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a game system that causes a three-dimensional virtual game space 71 to be displayed on a display device in the direction of a predetermined line of sight. The three-dimensional virtual game space 71 has a plurality of objects appearing therein. After the direction of the line of sight is set, a frame setting plane 76 is set in the three-dimensional game space. Next, a frame coordinate value indicative of a position of each selected object projected on the frame setting plane is calculated. Based on the frame coordinate value, a frame is set. The frame is virtually set on the frame setting plane 76 so that all positions indicated by the frame coordinate values of the selected objects are located inside of the frame. Based on this frame, a display area to be displayed on the display device is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Toshiaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140228097
    Abstract: An example of a system includes a game apparatus and a selling server. In the game apparatus, a game application A1 is executed in accordance with an operation of a user, and game points are given that vary depending on the result of the execution of the game A1. After the game points have been given, the game apparatus accesses a selling server to purchase a game application A2. The selling server calculates a discounted price by subtracting the number of game points from the list price of the game application A2, and makes a settlement for the discounted price in accordance with a determination of a purchase from the game apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8782669
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a non-transitory storage medium encoded with a computer readable information processing program and executable by a computer of an information processing apparatus. The information processing program causes the computer to function as a data storage unit for storing for each user, data for application that can be made use of in a prescribed application program executable by a plurality of users, a data communication unit for transmitting and receiving the data for application stored in the data storage unit to and from another unspecified information processing apparatus present within a prescribed range, and an event processing unit for performing event processing based on at least one of the data for application received by the data communication unit and the data for application of another user stored in the data storage unit when one of the plurality of users executes the prescribed application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ito, Kouichi Kawamoto, Toshikazu Jin
  • Publication number: 20140194189
    Abstract: Example systems and methods involve an information processing apparatus configured to transmit transmission data to one or more of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the transmission data including identification information for content data executed by the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is also configured to receive reception data from one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the reception data from each respective other information processing apparatus including identification information for content data executed by the respective other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus accesses purchase information associated with purchasing content data corresponding to at least one piece of identification information included in the reception data received from the one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta KUBO, Yusuke AKIFUSA, Ryutaro TAKAHASHI, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140164181
    Abstract: Example systems and methods involve an information processing apparatus configured to transmit transmission data to one or more of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the transmission data including icon-related data for an icon associated with content data executed by the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is also configured to receive reception data from one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the reception data from each respective other information processing apparatus including icon-related data for an icon associated with content data executed by the respective other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus cumulatively stores icon-related data included in the reception data received from the one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta KUBO, Yusuke AKIFUSA, Ryutaro TAKAHASHI, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8700478
    Abstract: A game apparatus executes an application loaded from a storage section, and generates an application information frame that contains most-recently-used app ID information that is identification information of the executed application. Then, the game apparatus transmits the application information frame to another game apparatus. The game apparatus receives, from the other game apparatus, most-recently-used app ID information that identifies an application executed by the other game apparatus. The game apparatus displays the received most-recently-used app ID information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Kubo, Yusuke Akifusa, Ryutaro Takahashi, Kouichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8698902
    Abstract: A real camera image of a real space that is captured by a real camera is obtained. Color information about a plurality of sampling points in the real camera image is obtained. Next, an average color is calculated based on the obtained color information about the plurality of sampling points. Based on the calculated average color, parameters relating to the color and brightness of a light source set in a virtual space are set. A virtual object image is generated by capturing, with a virtual camera, an image of a virtual object existing in the virtual space, which virtual object is illuminated by the light source whose parameters have been set. Then, a superimposed image, in which the virtual object image is superimposed on the real camera image, is generated and displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., HAL Laboratory Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Ryusei Matsuo, Yuuki Nishimura