Patents by Inventor Norman R. H. Black

Norman R. H. Black 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).

  • Latency server and matchmaker
    Patent number: 6304902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to efficiently and effectively ensure that the quality of the data communications links are adequate for digital electronic game playing is provided. A number of servers are connected to the Internet. The servers periodically perform communications link quality measurements among themselves. At least one of the servers is designated as a matchmaker. When a game is requested by clients, the matchmaker acts as a game coordinator and compiles the results of the measurements. Based on the compilation and other information from its database, the matchmaker selects a few servers as candidate servers. These candidates perform data communications link quality measurements with the requesting clients. Based on these measurements, the matchmaker selects a server as the server for the requested game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: HearMe
    Inventors: Norman R. H. Black, Jeffrey J. Rothschild
  • Latency server and matchmaker
    Patent number: 6038599
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to efficiently and effectively ensure that the quality of the data communications links are adequate for digital electronic game playing is provided. A number of servers are connected to the Internet. The servers periodically perform communications link quality measurements among themselves. At least one of the servers is designated as a matchmaker. When a game is requested by clients, the matchmaker acts as a game coordinator and compiles the results of the measurements. Based on the compilation and other information from its database, the matchmaker selects a few servers as candidate servers. These candidates perform data communications link quality measurements with the requesting clients. Based on these measurements, the matchmaker selects a server as the server for the requested game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Mpath Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. H. Black, Jeffrey J. Rothschild