Patents by Inventor Naoki Niihama

Naoki Niihama 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: 6767282
    Abstract: A golf game device that generates a natural interest in golf without taking up a large amount of space. A player swings a grip which is shaped like the grip of a golf club. On a first monitor, a virtual club head moving in accordance with the movement of the grip is displayed. An imaginary shaft extends from the grip, and the virtual club head is displayed as if it were attached to the end of the shaft. The player takes aim at his target direction (to which a ball is to be hit) by viewing scenery displayed on a second monitor, and hits a ball displayed in his underfoot view on the first monitor. The front view and underfoot view change according to the position where a virtual player stands in the game space. Accordingly, the player can play with the sense that he is actually playing a golf course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Matsuyama, Shinichi Nakagawa, Naoki Niihama
  • Publication number: 20030078086
    Abstract: A golf game device that generates a natural interest in golf without taking up a large amount of space. A player swings a grip which is shaped like the grip of a golf club. On a first monitor, a virtual club head moving in accordance with the movement of the grip is displayed. An imaginary shaft extends from the grip, and the virtual club head is displayed as if it were attached to the end of the shaft. The player takes aim at his target direction (to which a ball is to be hit) by viewing scenery displayed on a second monitor, and hits a ball displayed in his underfoot view on the first monitor. The front view and underfoot view change according to the position where a virtual player stands in the game space. Accordingly, the player can play with the sense that he is actually playing a golf course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: KONAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigenobu Matsuyama, Shinichi Nakagawa, Naoki Niihama