Patents by Inventor Tatsuo Nomura

Tatsuo Nomura 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).

  • Publication number: 20240362858
    Abstract: A parallel-reality application enables users to tag virtual elements in their proximity for later interaction. A geographic location of a user is received and used to identify a virtual location, in a virtual world, that maps to the geographic location of the user. A region of the virtual world is identified based on the identified virtual location and one or more virtual elements within the region of the virtual world are selected. An identifier of the one or more virtual elements is stored in conjunction with an identifier of the user and a list of tagged virtual elements is provided for display to the user. At a later time, the user interacts with a selected one of the tagged virtual elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Chihiro Kanno, Hiroki Asakawa
  • Patent number: 12064694
    Abstract: A player may send virtual characters to travel to remote locations in a parallel-reality game. The remote locations are virtual locations corresponding to real-world locations other than where the player is located. The player can therefore send a virtual character to a virtual location without traveling to the corresponding real-world location themselves. A travel time and a path the character will travel along to reach the remote location is determined. Once the virtual character has reached the remote location, it stays there for a duration of time. Client devices of players near the remote location may display a visual representation of the virtual character. The virtual character may collect virtual items and interact with other players and return to the player with any virtual items it has collected or been given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIANTIC, INC.
    Inventors: Shohei Konno, Keita Tsutsui, Tatsuo Nomura, Hiroki Asakawa, Shigeru Miyamoto, Motoki Yano
  • Publication number: 20240149164
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes controlling movement of any of first objects arranged on a field, controlling movement of a second object fed to any of the first objects, and carrying out control such that a first object satisfying prescribed proximity relation with the second object among the first objects acquires the second object. The controlling movement of a second object includes ejecting the second object to the field from a prescribed position in a direction determined based on an accepted first user operation input and moving the second object over the field in accordance with an accepted second user operation input. The controlling movement of any of the first objects moves any of the first objects toward the second object ejected to the field and moves any of the first objects toward the second object that moves over the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kiyoshi MIZUKI, Shigeru MIYAMOTO, Tatsuo NOMURA
  • Patent number: 11918905
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes controlling movement of any of first objects arranged on a field, controlling movement of a second object fed to any of the first objects, and carrying out control such that a first object satisfying prescribed proximity relation with the second object among the first objects acquires the second object. The controlling movement of a second object includes ejecting the second object to the field from a prescribed position in a direction determined based on an accepted first user operation input and moving the second object over the field in accordance with an accepted second user operation input. The controlling movement of any of the first objects moves any of the first objects toward the second object ejected to the field and moves any of the first objects toward the second object that moves over the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Mizuki, Shigeru Miyamoto, Tatsuo Nomura
  • Publication number: 20230173389
    Abstract: A player may send virtual characters to travel to remote locations in a parallel-reality game. The remote locations are virtual locations corresponding to real-world locations other than where the player is located. The player can therefore send a virtual character to a virtual location without traveling to the corresponding real-world location themselves. A travel time and a path the character will travel along to reach the remote location is determined. Once the virtual character has reached the remote location, it stays there for a duration of time. Client devices of players near the remote location may display a visual representation of the virtual character. The virtual character may collect virtual items and interact with other players and return to the player with any virtual items it has collected or been given.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Shohei Konno, Keita Tsutsui, Tatsuo Nomura, Hiroki Asakawa, Shigeru Miyamoto, Motoki Yano
  • Publication number: 20230128475
    Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium encoded with a computer readable information processing program executed in a computer of an information processing apparatus including an image pick-up unit that picks up an image of a real space is provided. At least one computer is configured to perform operations including generating an augmented reality image by superimposing a virtual space image corresponding to a virtual space that has been picked up by a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space and a real space image corresponding to the real space that has been picked up by the image pick-up unit on each other, recognizing a feature included in the real space image, and controlling, when the real space image includes a feature as a result of recognition, a character object to perform an action at a position associated with the feature included in the real space image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Shigeru MIYAMOTO, Tatsuo NOMURA, Chihiro KANNO
  • Publication number: 20230102462
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: David Kornmann, Bill Kilday, Michael Steranka, Edward Wu, John Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Tatsuo Nomura, Raza Ahmad, Kento Suga, Mike Quigley
  • Patent number: 11590423
    Abstract: A system provides an augmented reality (AR) experience in a parallel-reality application in which a geography of a virtual world parallels a geography of the real world. The system receives a connection request from a client device and receives a route that the client device traversed in the real world. The route comprises a plurality of locations in the real world. The system determines a plurality of virtual locations to place virtual elements at, where each virtual element corresponds to a location in the real world of the route. The system updates a global state of the AR experience to include the plurality of virtual elements at the plurality of virtual locations. The system provides, to a second client device, AR data including some of the virtual locations for display of some of the virtual elements at the corresponding locations in the real world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hanke, Chihiro Kanno, Yuki Sonoda, Tatsuo Nomura, Kousuke Kawahira, Kentaro Morikawa, Hiroki Asakawa, Shunsuke Uematsu, Madoka Katayama, Motoki Yano
  • Patent number: 11590421
    Abstract: A player may send virtual characters to travel to remote locations in a parallel-reality game. The remote locations are virtual locations corresponding to real-world locations other than where the player is located. The player can therefore send a virtual character to a virtual location without traveling to the corresponding real-world location themselves. A travel time and a path the character will travel along to reach the remote location is determined. Once the virtual character has reached the remote location, it stays there for a duration of time. Client devices of players near the remote location may display a visual representation of the virtual character. The virtual character may collect virtual items and interact with other players and return to the player with any virtual items it has collected or been given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shohei Konno, Keita Tsutsui, Tatsuo Nomura, Hiroki Asakawa, Shigeru Miyamoto, Motoki Yano
  • Publication number: 20230016901
    Abstract: Provided is a granule in which an unpleasant taste of an active ingredient is masked and immediate release of the active ingredient is maintained, and a method for producing the granule. In particular, provided is the granule containing zinc acetate as an active ingredient having an unpleasant taste, and a method for producing the granule. A method for producing a granule in which an unpleasant taste of an active ingredient is masked and immediate release of the active ingredient is maintained. The method includes a step (1) of obtaining a core particle containing an active ingredient having an unpleasant taste, a step (2) of coating a surface of the core particle obtained in the step (1) with ethylcellulose to obtain a particle, and a step (3) of subjecting the particle obtained in the step (2) to a heat treatment in a closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tatsuo NOMURA, Toru YASUZAWA
  • Patent number: 11541315
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kornmann, Bill Kilday, Michael Steranka, Edward Wu, John Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Tatsuo Nomura, Raza Ahmad, Kento Suga, Mike Quigley
  • Publication number: 20220305388
    Abstract: A system provides an augmented reality (AR) experience in a parallel-reality application in which a geography of a virtual world parallels a geography of the real world. The system receives a connection request from a client device and receives a route that the client device traversed in the real world. The route comprises a plurality of locations in the real world. The system determines a plurality of virtual locations to place virtual elements at, where each virtual element corresponds to a location in the real world of the route. The system updates a global state of the AR experience to include the plurality of virtual elements at the plurality of virtual locations. The system provides, to a second client device, AR data including some of the virtual locations for display of some of the virtual elements at the corresponding locations in the real world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: John Hanke, Chihiro Kanno, Yuki Sonoda, Tatsuo Nomura, Kousuke Kawahira, Kentaro Morikawa, Hiroki Asakawa, Shunsuke Uematsu, Madoka Katayama, Motoki Yano
  • Publication number: 20220305385
    Abstract: A player may send virtual characters to travel to remote locations in a parallel-reality game. The remote locations are virtual locations corresponding to real-world locations other than where the player is located. The player can therefore send a virtual character to a virtual location without traveling to the corresponding real-world location themselves. A travel time and a path the character will travel along to reach the remote location is determined. Once the virtual character has reached the remote location, it stays there for a duration of time. Client devices of players near the remote location may display a visual representation of the virtual character. The virtual character may collect virtual items and interact with other players and return to the player with any virtual items it has collected or been given.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Shohei Konno, Keita Tsutsui, Tatsuo Nomura, Hiroki Asakawa, Shigeru Miyamoto, Motoki Yano
  • Publication number: 20220297008
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes controlling movement of any of first objects arranged on a field, controlling movement of a second object fed to any of the first objects, and carrying out control such that a first object satisfying prescribed proximity relation with the second object among the first objects acquires the second object. The controlling movement of a second object includes ejecting the second object to the field from a prescribed position in a direction determined based on an accepted first user operation input and moving the second object over the field in accordance with an accepted second user operation input. The controlling movement of any of the first objects moves any of the first objects toward the second object ejected to the field and moves any of the first objects toward the second object that moves over the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Kiyoshi MIZUKI, Shigeru MIYAMOTO, Tatsuo NOMURA
  • Patent number: 11229846
    Abstract: A shared virtual experience is provided to players of a location-based game. The virtual location of a player in the game is based on the real world location of the player's client device. If a player's location in the game is within an interaction distance of a virtual element, in indication that a shared virtual experience is available may be provided. Player input is received requesting participation in the shared virtual experience and the player is added to a lobby including a specified start time. At the specified time, the shared virtual experience begins and includes interaction with other players who were in the lobby. An update to game data is sent based on an outcome of the shared virtual experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Dennis Hwang, Edward Wu, Kevin Doo, Naoyuki Ishitsuka, Calin Matney, David Hollin
  • Publication number: 20200330874
    Abstract: A shared virtual experience is provided to players of a location-based game. The virtual location of a player in the game is based on the real world location of the player's client device. If a player's location in the game is within an interaction distance of a virtual element, in indication that a shared virtual experience is available may be provided. Player input is received requesting participation in the shared virtual experience and the player is added to a lobby including a specified start time. At the specified time, the shared virtual experience begins and includes interaction with other players who were in the lobby. An update to game data is sent based on an outcome of the shared virtual experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Dennis Hwang, Edward Wu, Kevin Doo, Naoyuki Ishitsuka, Calin Matney, David Hollin
  • Publication number: 20200298126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: David Kornmann, Bill Kilday, Michael Steranka, Edward Wu, John Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Tatsuo Nomura, Raza Ahmad, Kento Suga, Mike Quigley
  • Patent number: 10737178
    Abstract: A shared virtual experience is provided to players of a location-based game. The virtual location of a player in the game is based on the real world location of the player's client device. If a player's location in the game is within an interaction distance of a virtual element, in indication that a shared virtual experience is available may be provided. Player input is received requesting participation in the shared virtual experience and the player is added to a lobby including a specified start time. At the specified time, the shared virtual experience begins and includes interaction with other players who were in the lobby. An update to game data is sent based on an outcome of the shared virtual experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nomura, Dennis Hwang, Edward Wu, Kevin Doo, Naoyuki Ishitsuka, Calin Matney, David Hollin
  • Patent number: 10717005
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kornmann, Bill Kilday, Michael Steranka, Edward Wu, John Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Tatsuo Nomura, Raza Ahmad, Kento Suga, Mike Quigley
  • Publication number: 20190022530
    Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: David Kornmann, Bill Kilday, Michael Steranka, Edward Wu, John Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Tatsuo Nomura, Raza Ahmad, Kento Suga, Mike Quigley