Patents by Inventor Masahiro Nitta

Masahiro Nitta 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: 11833425
    Abstract: If an account is changed in a periodic service withdrawn state, a first timing which is an in-game item distribution timing on an account before the change, a second timing which is the next distribution timing, and a third timing which is the distribution timing next thereto, are acquired. A valid period of a periodic service that has been associated with an account after the change is acquired. If the expiration timing of the valid period is at or before the third timing, a post-change distribution timing which is a distribution timing for the first time after the account change timing is determined as the third timing. If the expiration timing is after the third timing, the post-change distribution timing is determined in accordance with a second valid period. An in-game item is provided at both of timings from the first timing onward and from the post-change distribution timing onward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nitta, Junpei Horita
  • Patent number: 11633670
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system sets an image capturing direction of a virtual camera in accordance with an image capturing direction of a camera, and if the image capturing direction of the camera is within a predetermined range, moves a virtual door in a virtual space in accordance with the image capturing direction of the virtual camera. If the image capturing direction of the camera is directed more upward than a first threshold, the information processing system does not move the virtual door further in the up direction. If the image capturing direction of the camera is directed more downward than a second threshold, the information processing system does not move the virtual door further in the down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junpei Horita, Kazuyoshi Sensui, Masahiro Nitta, Yasuharu Ohta, Junki Uosawa
  • Patent number: 11557103
    Abstract: A virtual reference plane and a virtual camera are updated based on detection of a characteristic portion in a captured image. A virtual object and the virtual camera are updated based on a shooting state. An overlay image in which an image of the virtual object is overlaid on the captured image is generated. The virtual camera and the virtual object are controlled such that the virtual object is in a field-of-view range, before the detection of the characteristic portion. The virtual object, the virtual reference plane, and the virtual camera are updated such that the virtual object is along the virtual reference plane, based on the shooting state, after the detection of the characteristic portion, and such that an appearance of the virtual object is in association with the shooting state, no matter whether or not the characteristic portion has been detected, when a position fixation condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junpei Horita, Masahiro Nitta, Kazuyoshi Sensui, Yasuharu Ohta, Junki Uosawa
  • Publication number: 20220152493
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system sets an image capturing direction of a virtual camera in accordance with an image capturing direction of a camera, and if the image capturing direction of the camera is within a predetermined range, moves a virtual door in a virtual space in accordance with the image capturing direction of the virtual camera. If the image capturing direction of the camera is directed more upward than a first threshold, the information processing system does not move the virtual door further in the up direction. If the image capturing direction of the camera is directed more downward than a second threshold, the information processing system does not move the virtual door further in the down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Junpei HORITA, Kazuyoshi SENSUI, Masahiro NITTA, Yasuharu OHTA, Junki UOSAWA
  • Publication number: 20220157029
    Abstract: A virtual reference plane and a virtual camera are updated based on detection of a characteristic portion in a captured image. A virtual object and the virtual camera are updated based on a shooting state. An overlay image in which an image of the virtual object is overlaid on the captured image is generated. The virtual camera and the virtual object are controlled such that the virtual object is in a field-of-view range, before the detection of the characteristic portion. The virtual object, the virtual reference plane, and the virtual camera are updated such that the virtual object is along the virtual reference plane, based on the shooting state, after the detection of the characteristic portion, and such that an appearance of the virtual object is in association with the shooting state, no matter whether or not the characteristic portion has been detected, when a position fixation condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Junpei HORITA, Masahiro NITTA, Kazuyoshi SENSUI, Yasuharu OHTA, Junki UOSAWA
  • Publication number: 20210316216
    Abstract: If an account is changed in a periodic service withdrawn state, a first timing which is an in-game item distribution timing on an account before the change, a second timing which is the next distribution timing, and a third timing which is the distribution timing next thereto, are acquired. A valid period of a periodic service that has been associated with an account after the change is acquired. If the expiration timing of the valid period is at or before the third timing, a post-change distribution timing which is a distribution timing for the first time after the account change timing is determined as the third timing. If the expiration timing is after the third timing, the post-change distribution timing is determined in accordance with a second valid period. An in-game item is provided at both of timings from the first timing onward and from the post-change distribution timing onward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Masahiro NITTA, Junpei HORITA
  • Patent number: 10717008
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system manages a character-associated parameter associated with each of a plurality of character objects, and a player-associated parameter associated with a player. Further, the information processing system stores an appearance condition associated with each of the plurality of character objects. The information processing system specifies at least one target character object among the plurality of character objects. When the player-associated parameter and the character-associated parameter associated with a target character object satisfy the appearance condition associated with the target character object, the information processing system permits the target character object to appear in a predetermined region in a virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., DeNa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sensui, Masahiro Nitta, Yasuharu Ohta, Mai Yamamoto, Junpei Horita, Ken Nakatani, Tatsuya Wakasa, Yurie Tokutake
  • Patent number: 10653958
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Masahiro Nitta
  • Patent number: 10507391
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system manages placement states of a plurality of objects in a virtual space, and manages a parameter that is changed in accordance with an instruction given by a player. The information processing system receives a change instruction to change the placement state of a selection object among the plurality of objects selected by the player. When the change instruction is given and under the condition that a parameter condition is satisfied, the parameter is changed. The information processing system executes a first change process for changing the placement state of at least one change target object in the virtual space in accordance with time, and a second change process for, when the change instruction is given and under the condition that a first parameter satisfies a first parameter condition, changing the placement state of the selection object in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., DENA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sensui, Masahiro Nitta, Yasuharu Ohta, Mai Yamamoto, Junpei Horita, Ken Nakatani, Tatsuya Wakasa
  • Patent number: 10434404
    Abstract: Current position information of an information processing apparatus is acquired by using a positional information acquiring section, and a distance, in a real space, between a current position and a target position that is a position corresponding to a predetermined position in the real space is calculated. Then, a predetermined process based on the calculated distance is executed when a parameter value indicating a virtual movement range of a player satisfies a first condition according to the calculated distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nitta, Kazuyoshi Sensui, Mai Yamamoto, Masashi Oishi
  • Publication number: 20190118093
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system manages a character-associated parameter associated with each of a plurality of character objects, and a player-associated parameter associated with a player. Further, the information processing system stores an appearance condition associated with each of the plurality of character objects. The information processing system specifies at least one target character object among the plurality of character objects. When the player-associated parameter and the character-associated parameter associated with a target character object satisfy the appearance condition associated with the target character object, the information processing system permits the target character object to appear in a predetermined region in a virtual space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi SENSUI, Masahiro NITTA, Yasuharu OHTA, Mai YAMAMOTO, Junpei HORITA, Ken NAKATANI, Tatsuya WAKASA, Yurie TOKUTAKE
  • Publication number: 20190118092
    Abstract: An example of an information processing system manages placement states of a plurality of objects in a virtual space, and manages a parameter that is changed in accordance with an instruction given by a player. The information processing system receives a change instruction to change the placement state of a selection object among the plurality of objects selected by the player. When the change instruction is given and under the condition that a parameter condition is satisfied, the parameter is changed. The information processing system executes a first change process for changing the placement state of at least one change target object in the virtual space in accordance with time, and a second change process for, when the change instruction is given and under the condition that a first parameter satisfies a first parameter condition, changing the placement state of the selection object in the virtual space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi SENSUI, Masahiro NITTA, Yasuharu OHTA, Mai YAMAMOTO, Junpei HORITA, Ken NAKATANI, Tatsuya WAKASA
  • Publication number: 20180008887
    Abstract: Current position information of an information processing apparatus is acquired by using a positional information acquiring section, and a distance, in a real space, between a current position and a target position that is a position corresponding to a predetermined position in the real space is calculated. Then, a predetermined process based on the calculated distance is executed when a parameter value indicating a virtual movement range of a player satisfies a first condition according to the calculated distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Masahiro NITTA, Kazuyoshi SENSUI, Mai YAMAMOTO, Masashi OISHI
  • Publication number: 20170136359
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Daiki IWAMOTO, Masahiro NITTA
  • Patent number: 9592447
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Masahiro Nitta
  • Patent number: 9354839
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a touch panel, for example, set on a display screen. For example, the display screen displays a three-dimensional game screen showing a relatively narrower range of a virtual three-dimensional game world and a two-dimensional map screen showing a relatively wider range of the virtual three-dimensional game world simultaneously or through change. When an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional game world is moved, an input trace is obtained from an input to the map screen by utilizing the touch panel. The object is moved along the obtained input trace, and a scene in which the object is moving is displayed on the three-dimensional game screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Masahiro Nitta, Youhei Fujino
  • Patent number: 9268781
    Abstract: An example computer 10 that manages folders containing files by using a tree structure is caused to execute a step S104 of identifying a superior folder from predetermined folders managed by the tree structure by retracing the tree structure by at least one level, and a step S501 of specifying a file belonging to a subordinate folder that is subordinate to the superior folder in the tree structure as a processing object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Akifusa, Masahiro Nitta, Kenji Matsumoto, Tetsuya Sato
  • Patent number: 9152301
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus at least partially displays a first object group on a first display portion, selects at least one first object from the first object group in response to an operation of a direction operation portion, changes a selected position in an order of alignment in a second object group in response to an operation of a first or second operation portion, displays at least one object included in the second object group and corresponding to the selected position on a second display portion, adds a new object corresponding to the selected first object at a position corresponding to the selected position in the second object group in response to an operation of a third operation portion, and displays at least one object included in the second object group on the second display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Akifusa, Masahiro Nitta, Masahiko Nagaya, Asako Kagita, Yasuhito Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20150002512
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Daiki IWAMOTO, Masahiro NITTA
  • Patent number: 8866856
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Masahiro Nitta