Patents by Inventor Nobuo Kawakami

Nobuo Kawakami 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: 11961190
    Abstract: A content distribution system according to an embodiment is provided with at least one processor. The at least one processor: specifies a real image region and a farthest region in a space represented with a content image showing a first virtual object; disposes a second virtual object in the farthest region; and displays, on a user terminal, a content image representing a space in which the second virtual object is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 11956504
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: DWANGO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20240106985
    Abstract: A video distribution server, video distribution method, and recording medium which receives moving images from an originating terminal and distributes these moving images to a viewer terminal implements a questionnaire within the broadcast on the basis of commands from the originating terminal and provides the same questionnaire to a Web server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Hiroki SHIMOMURA, Takashi KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11871154
    Abstract: This video distribution server which receives moving images from an originating terminal and distributes these moving images to a viewer terminal implements a questionnaire within the broadcast on the basis of commands from the originating terminal and provides the same questionnaire to a Web server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DWANGO CO., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroki Shimomura, Takashi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20230360548
    Abstract: An assist system in one embodiment includes at least one processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Yuri ODAGIRI
  • Patent number: 11729435
    Abstract: A content distribution server, includes: a communicator that receives live contents transmitted through a network NW from a distributor terminal used by a distributor of a live content; a designator that designates an area in the live content, where another content is superimposed and played; a selector that selects the other content to be played in the area designated; and a controller that generates a distribution content by superimposing the other content selected by the selector in the area designated by the designator in the live content, wherein the communicator distributes the distribution content to a viewer terminal through the network NW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Dwango Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroaki Saito, Takashi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20230210364
    Abstract: An eye tracking system according to one embodiment includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: dynamically set a partial area of first content displayed on a screen as a guidance area to have a user gaze at the partial area; identify first viewpoint coordinates on the screen based on an eye movement of the user gazing at the guidance area; calculate a difference between the first viewpoint coordinates identified and area coordinates of the guidance area on the screen; and calibrate second viewpoint coordinates of the user viewing second content displayed on the screen by using the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Yuri ODAGIRI
  • Patent number: 11623144
    Abstract: An intervention server according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiver, a filter, and an intervener. The receiver receives pieces of first user input information from a plurality of audience terminals to which a live play video of a game is distributed. The filter filters the pieces of the first user input information. The intervener intervenes in a progress of the game based on the filtered pieces of the first user input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Dwango Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Hiroaki Saito, Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 11625858
    Abstract: A rear-facing camera captures a live-action video image while a front-facing camera captures an image of a distributor. An avatar controller controls an avatar based on the image of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera. A synthesizer arranges the avatar in a predetermined position of a real space coordinate system and synthesizes the avatar with the live-action video image. The face of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera is tracked and reflected on the avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Dwango Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Toshihiro Shimizu, Hiroaki Saito
  • Publication number: 20230043422
    Abstract: A student terminal is for viewing a class given in a virtual space that is immersive. The student terminal includes: a VR function section configured to display the virtual space according to virtual space information; and an input section for receiving a video capturing a desk of a student who views the class. The VR function section extracts, from the video, an area including a top plate of the desk corresponding to a desk object in the virtual space, and performs image composition for fitting a video capturing the area onto a top plate of the desk object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Shinnosuke IWAKI
  • Publication number: 20230007331
    Abstract: The present disclosure has a configuration in which a distributor who performs a separate distribution that is different from this live content, or a viewer who views this separate distribution can participate in a virtual space and express intent or participate in visual recognition through the commitment of a virtual item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Toshihiro SHIMIZU, Hiroaki SAITO
  • Patent number: 11531401
    Abstract: A data replacement apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a replacement unit. The acquisition unit acquires first control data having a value based on the position of a first device which can be mounted on a user's head and the position of a second device which can be gripped by a user. The determination unit determines whether or not a prescribed condition is satisfied. The replacement unit replaces the first control data with second control data when it is determined that the condition is satisfied. The second control data has a value not based on the position of the first device and/or the position of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20220360827
    Abstract: A content distribution system according to one embodiment acquires content data of existing content representing a virtual space, analyzes the content data to dynamically set at least one scene in the content as at least one candidate position for cueing in the content, and sets one of the at least one candidate position as a cueing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20220353575
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Kentarou MATSUI, Shinnosuke IWAKI, Takashi KOJIMA, Naoki YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20220343604
    Abstract: Provided is a program executable in a computer for viewing content. The computer includes a processor and a memory. The program causes the processor to execute a first step of generating a virtual space in response to an operation by a first user to designate content and setting a virtual viewpoint corresponding to the first user in the virtual space, a second step of starting reproduction of the content designated in the virtual space, and a third step of arranging, in the virtual space, at least one of an object pre-associated with the content or a second object corresponding to a second user who has viewed the content in the past, When the first user views the content, the object pre-associated or the second object is arranged in the third step at a position not related to a position of the virtual viewpoint of the second user in the virtual space or a position of the object pre-associated, when the second user viewed the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo KAWAKAMI
  • Patent number: 11477507
    Abstract: The present disclosure has a configuration in which a distributor who performs a separate distribution that is different from this live content, or a viewer who views this separate distribution can participate in a virtual space and express intent or participate in visual recognition through the commitment of a virtual item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Toshihiro Shimizu, Hiroaki Saito
  • Patent number: 11425461
    Abstract: Provided is a content distribution server which is able to establish restrictions on the public disclosure of an object displayed in virtual space at the convenience of the distributor. The content distribution server comprises: a distribution unit that distributes live content for synthesizing video in virtual space using information from the distributor as virtual character information; and a first setting receiving unit that receives from the distributor terminal used by the distributor public disclosure restriction settings for establishing restrictions on objects present in virtual space displayed on the distributor terminal that can be viewed on a viewer terminal used by a viewer to view live content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Kentarou Matsui, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Naoki Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20220232191
    Abstract: There is provided a content distribution device including a virtual character arrangement acquisitor that acquires an arrangement in a virtual space of each of a plurality of virtual characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of participants in accordance with an operation of a corresponding participant, a trigger detector that detects a first trigger and thereafter detects a second trigger, and a display control data distributor that generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a part of the virtual space in which the plurality of virtual characters is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Takashi KOJIMA, Hiroaki SAITO, Toshihiro SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 11367260
    Abstract: A rear-facing camera captures a live-action video image while a front-facing camera captures an image of a distributor. The avatar controller controls an avatar based on the image of the distributor captured by the front-facing camera, and move the position of the avatar in the real space coordinate system according to the position of the video synthesis device in the real space coordinate system. A synthesizer arranges the avatar in a predetermined position of a real space coordinate system and synthesizes the avatar with the live-action video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kawakami, Shinnosuke Iwaki, Takashi Kojima, Toshihiro Shimizu, Hiroaki Saito
  • Publication number: 20220165032
    Abstract: A content distribution system according to an embodiment is provided with at least one processor. The at least one processor: specifies a real image region and a farthest region in a space represented with a content image showing a first virtual object; disposes a second virtual object in the farthest region; and displays, on a user terminal, a content image representing a space in which the second virtual object is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: DWANGO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo KAWAKAMI, Takashi KOJIMA