Patents by Inventor Toyokazu Nonaka

Toyokazu Nonaka 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: 11055048
    Abstract: This game system is provided with a plurality of information processing apparatuses that are capable of communicating with each other and include at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus, and a control unit that controls the plurality of information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display unit and a first touch panel that detects contact on the first display unit, and the second information processing apparatus includes a second display unit and a second touch panel that detects contact on the second display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Toshiaki Suzuki, Yoshiaki Onishi, Osamu Tsuchihashi, Shun Hakamada
  • Publication number: 20190129678
    Abstract: This game system is provided with a plurality of information processing apparatuses that are capable of communicating with each other and include at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus, and a control unit that controls the plurality of information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display unit and a first touch panel that detects contact on the first display unit, and the second information processing apparatus includes a second display unit and a second touch panel that detects contact on the second display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Toyokazu NONAKA, Toshiaki SUZUKI, Yoshiaki ONISHI, Osamu TSUCHIHASHI, Shun HAKAMADA
  • Patent number: 10203925
    Abstract: This game system is provided with a plurality of information processing apparatuses that are capable of communicating with each other and include at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus, and a control unit that controls the plurality of information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display unit and a first touch panel that detects contact on the first display unit, and the second information processing apparatus includes a second display unit and a second touch panel that detects contact on the second display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Toshiaki Suzuki, Yoshiaki Onishi, Osamu Tsuchihashi, Shun Hakamada
  • Publication number: 20180101350
    Abstract: This game system is provided with a plurality of information processing apparatuses that are capable of communicating with each other and include at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus, and a control unit that controls the plurality of information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus includes a first display unit and a first touch panel that detects contact on the first display unit, and the second information processing apparatus includes a second display unit and a second touch panel that detects contact on the second display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Toyokazu NONAKA, Toshiaki SUZUKI, Yoshiaki ONISHI, Osamu TSUCHIHASHI, Shun HAKAMADA
  • Patent number: 9901814
    Abstract: A housing of a game controller is capable of being held with one hand of a player. A direction instruction section is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. Movement detection means is means for detecting movement of the housing. Movement direction control means of a game apparatus is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. Posture control means is means for determining a posture of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with detection by the movement detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Toshiharu Izuno, Kentaro Nishimura, Kenta Tanaka, Norihito Ito, Masayuki Okada
  • Patent number: 9721281
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program, and this information processing program causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a close proximity communication unit 13 and an information processing unit 12. The close proximity communication unit 13 receives communication history data indicating a history of communication of application data by an information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication from the information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication. The information processing unit 12 performs predetermined information processing with the communication history data received by the close proximity communication unit 13 as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Niitani, Masahiro Shiotani, Toyokazu Nonaka, Takehiko Hosokawa, Kouichi Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 9526987
    Abstract: An example game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU reproduces a BGM according to BGM data. When a ball object and an item object are shot at a predetermined timing, and a player object catches or receives the ball object at a point of impact, a part of melody of a main theme of the BGM is output. In a case that each player object catches or receives a ball object of the same color as that assigned to the own player object, a correct melody is output, but in a case that it catches or receives a ball object of a different color, a melody being different in pitch is output. Alternatively, in a case that the ball object cannot be caught or received, no melody is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Jumpei Horita, Nagako Ikuta, Toyokazu Nonaka, Shin Azuma, Hideki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9327192
    Abstract: A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Toshiharu Izuno, Kentaro Nishimura, Kenta Tanaka, Norihito Ito, Masayuki Okada
  • Patent number: 9185515
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a non-transitory storage medium. The non-transitory storage medium causes the computer of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with another information processing apparatus to function as a data reception unit configured to receive application data which can be made use of by an application program from another information processing apparatus, a data determination unit configured to determine whether the received application data is data made use of by a first application program executed by the information processing apparatus, and a data conversion unit configured to convert the received application data to application data made use of by the first application program executed by the information processing apparatus when the data determination unit determines that the received application data is not data made use of by the first application program executed by the information processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Toshiharu Izuno, Koichi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9044669
    Abstract: An image generation system performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including an acceleration sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space. The image generation system includes: an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the acceleration sensor; a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: NINTENDO CO., LTD., BANDAI NAMCO GAMES INC.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Takahiro Harada, Yasushi Ono
  • Publication number: 20140337986
    Abstract: An information processing system 100 includes an information processing apparatus 10 and a data providing server 20 that are capable of communication with each other over an IP network 40. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 11 storing an integrated application program which includes a plurality of optional application programs that are independent of each other and which provides a cooperation function for the plurality of optional application programs. The data providing server 20 includes a storage unit 21 storing content data that is to be used by the optional application program. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 13 for acquiring the content data from the data providing server 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140325528
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program that causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a data storage unit 11 storing at least one of first data that can be used by a charged application and second data that can be used by a preinstalled application, a close proximity communication unit 13 for transmitting/receiving at least one of the first data and the second data to/from another information processing apparatus 10C using wireless communication, and an information processing unit 12 for performing, in a case where the first data is received from the other information processing apparatus 10C, predetermined information processing of the charged application based on the first data, and for updating, in a case where the second data, and not the first data, is received from the other information processing apparatus 10C, the first data using the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140325017
    Abstract: An example computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program, and this information processing program causes a computer of an information processing apparatus 10A to function as a close proximity communication unit 13 and an information processing unit 12. The close proximity communication unit 13 receives communication history data indicating a history of communication of application data by an information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication from the information processing apparatus 10C by close proximity communication. The information processing unit 12 performs predetermined information processing with the communication history data received by the close proximity communication unit 13 as a parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryusuke NIITANI, Masahiro SHIOTANI, Toyokazu NONAKA, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Kouichi KAWAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8696453
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD and is provided a touch panel in relation to the LCD. The LCD displays a game screen for making a player character hit a ball. For example, when touch-on is performed on the LCD (touch panel), the stance and shot power of the player character are decided according to coordinates of the touch-on position. With this, the path of the ball is decided to be a straight ball, draw ball or fade ball, and the carry of the ball is decided with regard to the shot power. Following the touch-on, when a slide operation is performed, an impact is decided according to the slide operation. For example, the path of the ball is changed by the decided impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshikawa, Takahiro Harada, Toyokazu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8690673
    Abstract: An example of a game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU displays a title screen on a monitor when starting a virtual game. When a predetermined operation is performed here, a main part is started, and a first game selected on a top menu is started. Here, prior to a start of the first game, a stable state of a controller with a gyro unit is confirmed. The processing for confirmation is also executed in a case that the title screen is being displayed as well. After the confirmation, when a state that the controller is left continues for a predetermined time or more, a second game different from the first game is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jumpei Horita, Ryusuke Niitani, Takehiko Hosokawa, Toyokazu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8403749
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD and is provided a touch panel in relation to the LCD. The LCD displays a game screen for making a player character hit a ball. For example, when touch-on is performed on the LCD (touch panel), the stance and shot power of the player character are decided according to coordinates of the touch-on position. With this, the path of the ball is decided to be a straight ball, draw ball or fade ball, and the carry of the ball is decided with regard to the shot power. Following the touch-on, when a slide operation is performed, an impact is decided according to the slide operation. For example, the path of the ball is changed by the decided impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshikawa, Takahiro Harada, Toyokazu Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20120309533
    Abstract: An example of a game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU displays a title screen on a monitor when starting a virtual game. When a predetermined operation is performed here, a main part is started, and a first game selected on a top menu is started. Here, prior to a start of the first game, a stable state of a controller with a gyro unit is confirmed. The processing for confirmation is also executed in a case that the title screen is being displayed as well. After the confirmation, when a state that the controller is left continues for a predetermined time or more, a second game different from the first game is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jumpei HORITA, Ryusuke NIITANI, Takehiko HOSOKAWA, Toyokazu NONAKA
  • Patent number: 8308566
    Abstract: A game apparatus capable of performing a game process in accordance with a motion applied to an input device. The game apparatus includes motion direction identifying means, moving direction setting means, correction means, and movement control means. The motion direction identifying means identifies a motion direction of the input device. The moving direction setting means sets a moving direction of a player object in a virtual game world in accordance with the motion direction of the input device. The correction means corrects the moving direction set by the moving direction setting means in accordance with a positional relation between the player object and a target object, which is other than the player object, in the virtual game world. The movement control means causes the player object to move in the virtual game world in accordance with the set moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Nobuo Matsumiya, Yuki Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8292727
    Abstract: Whether or not an angular velocity detected by an angular velocity sensor is used for a game process is determined, and a difficulty level of a game to be subjected to a game process is set so as to vary depending on whether the angular velocity is determined to be used or the angular velocity is determined not to be used. When the angular velocity is determined not to be used, a process of specifying a motion direction of an input device is performed by using acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, whereas when the angular velocity is determined to be used, at least a part of the process of specifying the motion of the input device is performed by using the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor. Accordingly, based on the specified motion direction, the game process is performed while the set difficulty level is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Nonaka, Nobuo Matsumiya, Yuki Hatakeyama
  • Publication number: 20120135803
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides game device that stereoscopically displays a game image by utilizing parallax. The game device includes a display portion capable of providing stereoscopic display, an image pick-up portion, an object setting unit for setting a position of display of an object with respect to the display portion and arranging the object at a corresponding position in a virtual space, a display control unit for setting parallax based on the position of display of the object in a direction of depth of the display portion for causing the display portion to stereoscopically display the object, an indicated position calculation unit for calculating a relative position of an indicator with respect to the image pick-up portion based on an image of the indicator, and a game processing unit for performing game processing based on relation between the position of display of the object and the calculated relative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toyokazu NONAKA, Tomoyoshi Yamane, Norihito Ito