Removable And Discrete Game Piece Changes Status Of Circuit Patents (Class 273/238)
  • Patent number: 11973498
    Abstract: Front-end circuits that combine inductive and capacitive sensing are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of inductive elements, an inductive measurement circuit, and a frequency divider circuit. The inductive measurement circuit is to output a first signal with a first frequency. The first signal is associated with an inductance change of one of the inductive elements. A feedback circuit can maintain the sinusoidal operation of the first signal. The frequency divider circuit can generate a second signal with a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Walsh, Kofi Makinwa, Matheus Pimenta, Ça{hacek over (g)}ri Gürleyük, Dermot Macsweeney, Daniel O'Keeffe, Dennis Seguine
  • Patent number: 11766607
    Abstract: A portal device for a video game includes a pad with different zones that can be illuminated by selectable colors, a toy sensor (e.g., an RFID tag sensor) associated with each zone, a controller and a communications port for communicating with a video game process executing on a game machine. The colors of each zone can be configured to one or a combination of three primary colors during game play, based on the game process. The portal device reacts to placement of tagged toys on zones and the color of the zones during play and provides sensor data to the game process. The game process controls the game state in part based on data from the portal device and in part on other user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Jon Burton
  • Patent number: 11633863
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for audio augmentation of physical robot sounds. A robot can determine that a first physically moveable component of the robot is to be actuated and in response, obtain a conditional state of the robot. The robot can obtain an audio object that generates an audio enhancement for the first physically moveable component being actuated, the audio enhancement having one or more characteristics that match the obtained conditional state of the robot. The robot can output the audio enhancement while actuating the first physically moveable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Wolford, Ben Gabaldon, Jordan Rivas, Brian Min
  • Patent number: 11340775
    Abstract: A presented force sense is associated with an input of an operator to a touch panel. An input to the touch panel is performed using a touch panel input device including: a first object including a first surface, a first texture including a region of an S-pole and a region of an N-pole being previously magnetized on the first surface, a plate surface on an opposite side to the first surface being disposed to face an input surface of the touch panel; and a second object including a magnetic sheet and a conductive portion, the magnetic sheet including a second surface, a second texture including a region of an S-pole and a region of an N-pole being previously magnetized on the second surface, the second surface being disposed to face the first surface, the conductive portion forming a conductive pattern on the second surface, the second object being operated by an operator performing an input operation on the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentaro Yasu
  • Patent number: 11285611
    Abstract: A robot includes a sensing unit including at least one sensor for detecting a user, a face detector configured to acquire an image including a face of the user detected by the sensing unit, a controller configured to detect an interaction intention of the user from the acquired image, and an output unit including at least one of a speaker or a display for outputting at least one of sound or a screen for inducing interaction of the user, when the interaction intention is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongjin Park, Minook Kim, Jungkwan Son, Tacksung Choi, Sewan Gu, Jinho Sohn, Taegil Cho
  • Patent number: 11217117
    Abstract: An electronic chess set includes a plurality of game pieces, a chessboard having a playing surface including a plurality of individually identifiable locations visible to a user on the chessboard, an illumination system configured to illuminate each of the plurality individually identifiable locations and an electronic system coupled to the illumination system. Each of the individually identifiable locations is configured to receive any one of the plurality of game pieces. The electronic system includes a processor configured to determine when a user is in contact with a selected one of the plurality of game pieces and control an operation of the illumination system to illuminate the playing surface to provide a visual identification of at least one move available for the selected piece in view of a handicap level provided for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Bryght Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bowman Wigh
  • Patent number: 11110341
    Abstract: An electronic game board wherein the board comprises a plurality of sensors and indicators such that two or more players may play the same game with each other using two or more different game boards that may communicate with each other either directly or through a server. The game board comprises a memory, antenna, and microprocessor associated with the sensors and indicators so that the game board may determine, store, and display a game state based-in-part on data obtained from the game board itself and either another game board or an artificially intelligent player operating in response the present game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Matthew Knippen
  • Patent number: 10994191
    Abstract: An electronic card game system and method using NFC or RFID electromagnetic communication, including an initiator having a driving coil, a first card having a secondary coil with a capacitor, and a playing piece having a receiving coil. The initiator and the first card may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the driving coil and at least a portion of the secondary coil overlap. Similarly, the first card and the playing piece may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the receiving coil and at least a second portion of the secondary coil overlap. These overlapped coils allow a driving signal initiated at the driving coil to be transmitted through the secondary coil and received by the receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S Amireh, Vladimir Buzga, Vladimir Sosnovskiy
  • Patent number: 10678421
    Abstract: A method for controlling a host device for at least one moving device including the following steps: determining a current position of the at least one moving device relative to an interaction surface of the host station using at least one electrical signal induced by at least one inductive magnetic field in at least one electric circuit of the host device associated with the interaction surface; recording the current position in a position history; using the history to compare a change of the position of the at least one device with at least one reference change diagram, the reference change diagram being associated with at least one reference movement; and activating a command of the host station on the basis of the reference movement, if the change corresponds to the reference movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: STARBREEZE PARIS
    Inventors: Christophe Duteil, Valentin Lefevre
  • Patent number: 10583352
    Abstract: A portal device for a video game includes a pad with different zones that can be illuminated by selectable colors, a toy sensor (e.g., an RFID tag sensor) associated with each zone, a controller and a communications port for communicating with a video game process executing on a game machine. The colors of each zone can be configured to one or a combination of three primary colors during game play, based on the game process. The portal device reacts to placement of tagged toys on zones and the color of the zones during play, and provides sensor data to the game process. The game process controls the game state in part based on data from the portal device and in part on other user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Jon Burton
  • Patent number: 10583364
    Abstract: In a communication system including a server and a plurality of communication terminals capable of communication with the server, based on a variety of parameters indicating the status of a space formed within a game playable by the user of each communication terminal over the communication system, the server transmits advisory information, which suggests the next action for the space, to the communication terminal. The communication terminal displays a screen including the received advisory information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Takayuki Sano
  • Patent number: 10532285
    Abstract: In a communication system including a server and a plurality of communication terminals capable of communication with the server, based on a variety of parameters indicating the status of a space formed within a game playable by the user of each communication terminal over the communication system, the server transmits advisory information, which suggests the next action for the space, to the communication terminal. The communication terminal displays a screen including the received advisory information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Takayuki Sano
  • Patent number: 10413807
    Abstract: An electronic card game system and method using NFC or RFID electromagnetic communication, including an initiator having a driving coil, a first card having a secondary coil with a capacitor, and a playing piece having a receiving coil. The initiator and the first card may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the driving coil and at least a portion of the secondary coil overlap. Similarly, the first card and the playing piece may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the receiving coil and at least a second portion of the secondary coil overlap. These overlapped coils allow a driving signal initiated at the driving coil to be transmitted through the secondary coil and received by the receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S Amireh, Vladimir Buzga, Vladimir Sosnovskiy
  • Patent number: 10376804
    Abstract: A magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block includes a body, a light source mounted in the body, and an electrical conduction mechanism mounted in the body and including magnetic conducting columns extended out of one side of the body and electrically connected to the light sources and conducting plates extended out of an opposite side of the body and electrically connected to the light source. Thus, when inserting the magnetic conducting columns of one magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block into the body of another magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block, the magnetic conducting columns of one magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block are secured to the conducting plates of the other magnetic positioning light-emitting toy block by magnetic attraction and simultaneously electrically connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Shao-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 10265609
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for intelligent game systems for putting intelligence into board and tabletop games including miniatures are disclosed. An intelligent game system comprises one or more sensors, a controller, and a projector, the sensors each having an identifier. The sensors obtain object information from intelligent game piece objects and transfer the object information to a controller where it is associated with a sensor identifier and the sensor identifier is associated with a corresponding portion of an image. The controller interacts with the intelligent game piece objects, for managing game play, and for preparing and transferring a changing image to a projector. Intelligent game piece object features are disclosed, as well as methods of initializing a system for use with the intelligent game piece objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Tweedletech, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Martin Maharbiz, Steve Jaqua
  • Patent number: 10242666
    Abstract: A method of performing dialog between a humanoid robot and user comprises: i) acquiring input signals from respective sensors, at least one being a sound sensor and another being a motion or image sensor; ii) interpreting the signals to recognize events generated by the user, including: the utterance of a word or sentence, an intonation of voice, a gesture, a body posture, a facial expression; iii) determining a response of the humanoid robot, comprising an event such as: the utterance of a word or sentence, an intonation of voice, a gesture, a body posture, a facial expression; iv) generating, an event by the humanoid robot; wherein step iii) comprises determining the response from events jointly generated by the user and recognized at step ii), of which at least one is not words uttered by the user. A computer program product and humanoid robot for carrying out the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Jérôme Monceaux, Gwennaël Gate, David Houssin, Gabriele Barbieri, Jocelyn Martin, Jean Testard, Ilmo Gourdin
  • Patent number: 10033141
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a connector plug (11) for a lighting device (12) is provided. The connector plug comprises a fastening arrangement (13) for mechanically coupling the lighting device to the connector plug, and an electronic contact (15) arranged to transfer power to, and communicate data with the lighting device coupled to the connector plug. Further, the connector plug comprises a heat sink (17) having a heat reception interface (18) arranged to receive heat from the lighting device coupled to the connector plug and a heat dissipation interface arranged to dissipate at least some of the heat received via the heat reception interface. The present aspect is based on a concept of utilizing the connector plug for dissipating heat from the lighting device, whereby the overall heat dissipation from the lighting device increases, which promotes a longer life time of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Petrus Creusen, Reinier Imre Anton Den Boer
  • Patent number: 9968843
    Abstract: In a communication system including a server (1) and a plurality of communication terminals (2) capable of communication with the server (1), based on a variety of parameters indicating the status of a space formed within a game playable by the user of each communication terminal (2) over the communication system, the server (1) transmits advisory information (132), which suggests the next action for the space, to the communication terminal (2). The communication terminal (2) displays a screen including the received advisory information (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Takayuki Sano
  • Patent number: 9950421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a player humanoid robot, a method and computer programs associated therewith. The prior art does not disclose any humanoid robot able to move on its lower limbs, to perform gestures, to communicate visual and/or audible signs, to receive same and interpret them so as to deduce therefrom appropriate behaviors for participating in a game in time as compere, questioner, questioned, investigator or mobile stake for the game. The hardware architectures, internal software and software for programming the robot of the invention make it possible to carry out these functions and to create new game experiences in which the boundaries between virtual world and real world are shifted once again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Jerome Monceaux, Celine Boudier
  • Patent number: 9937702
    Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object from a digital representation of the object stored in a computer readable media, the apparatus comprising: a component having a surface on which the object is to be fabricated, wherein information is embedded within the component; a sensor configured to sense the information embedded within the component; a module configured to, based on the sensor sensing the information embedded within the component, determine one or both of (i) a characteristic of the component and (ii) a configuration parameter of the apparatus; and a print mechanism disposed above the surface of the component, wherein the print mechanism is configured to, based on the determined one or both of (i) the characteristic of the component and (ii) the configuration parameter of the apparatus, fabricate the object on the surface of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven M. Goss, Gregory F. Carlson, James Mealy, Phillip Salvatori
  • Patent number: 9914065
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively conductive toy building element, comprising: a body adapted for releasable engagement to at least one other toy building element body or to a corresponding baseplate, the body including at least one conductive portion having at least one contact area adapted to generate pressure on a conductive portion or contact area of an adjacent toy building element body, in such a way that ensures electrical conduction between said toy building elements in a desired location and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BRIXO SMART TOYS LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz Almog, Amir Saraf
  • Patent number: 9776071
    Abstract: An electronic card game system and method using NFC or RFID electromagnetic communication, including an initiator having a driving coil, a first card having a secondary coil with a capacitor, and a playing piece having a receiving coil. The initiator and the first card may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the driving coil and at least a portion of the secondary coil overlap. Similarly, the first card and the playing piece may be placed on a playing surface so that at least a portion of the receiving coil and at least a second portion of the secondary coil overlap. These overlapped coils allow a driving signal initiated at the driving coil to be transmitted through the secondary coil and received by the receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Amireh, Vladimir Buzga, Vladimir Sosnovskiy
  • Patent number: 9770648
    Abstract: An apparatus for the creation of an electrical circuit on a game board as a puzzle to be solved, is provided. The game board includes an electrical control circuit that induces an electromagnetic field above a planar surface of the game board. A plurality of electrically conductive distinctly curved game pieces are placed in various ways on top of the planar surface, the goal being to place all of the pieces on the planar surface in a loop in order to create the electrical circuit. When the final game piece is placed, an induced current flow is experienced by the electrical circuit and detected by the electrical control circuit. In response to detecting completion of the electrical circuit, the electrical control circuit activates an audible indication and a visual indication simultaneously for a period of time to provide a pleasurable reward to the user in the form of sensory feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventors: Harry Lewis Nelson, Kevin Daniel Norman, Penelope Anne Norman, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9764474
    Abstract: A robot system comprises an intrusion detector which detects that a person has entered into a monitoring area established around a robot, an installation table which supports the robot, a light emitting device which brightens a surface of the installation table, and a control device which receives a signal outputted by the intrusion detector and controls the light emitting device. The control device causes the light emitting device to emit light when it is detected that the person has entered into the monitoring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Takeaki Aramaki, Hiromitsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9757643
    Abstract: A board game scoring assistive device having a panel that includes one or more apertures accommodating a player game piece or token and a particular manner keeping it positioned over the proper area or score, especially when the game piece is sized so that it covers more than just a single scoring position. This invention helps to alleviate the questions of which position the piece is in as well as where the piece had been in the event of an accidental jolt to the scoring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Board Game Innovation, LLC
    Inventor: William Roger Rigby
  • Patent number: 9724828
    Abstract: A robot system comprises an intrusion detector which detects that a person has entered into a monitoring area established around a robot, an installation table which supports the robot, a light emitting device which brightens a surface of the installation table, and a control device which receives a signal outputted by the intrusion detector and controls the light emitting device. The control device causes the light emitting device to emit light when it is detected that the person has entered into the monitoring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Takeaki Aramaki, Hiromitsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9711009
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a game of poker in which player actions are fixed by game rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W Lutnick, Geoffrey M Gelman, Dean P Alderucci
  • Patent number: 9517565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeding assistant robot, which assists in feeding patients or the elderly and infirm who have difficulty in moving their arms and thus have difficulty in feeding themselves. The feeding assistant robot includes: a picking arm including a gripper for picking up food placed on a tray; a feeding arm, including a spoon on which the food picked up by the picking arm is placed, for moving the spoon to the mouth of a user; an input device enabling the user to direct the movements of the picking arm and of the feeding arm; and a control unit electrically connected to the picking arm, the feeding arm, and the manipulation part to control the movements of the picking arm and the feeding arm according to the commands from the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER
    Inventors: Won Kyung Song, Jong Bae Kim, Kwang Ok An, In Ho Lee, Won Jin Song
  • Patent number: 9511277
    Abstract: Technologies for executing electronic board games include a user compute device having a display screen that is orientable upwardly to support hardware game pieces associated with a particular electronic board game. Each hardware game piece may have a different or unique footprint, which may be detectable by the user compute device. The electronic board game is executed by the user compute device. For example, an electronic version of a board surface of the electronic board game may be displayed on the display screen. Additionally, virtual game pieces may be associated with a player of the electronic board game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rita H. Wouhaybi, Sai P. Balasundaram, David I. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9281708
    Abstract: A device for inductive transfer of electric energy from a stationary unit including at least one primary inductance to a vehicle that is adjacent to the unit and has at least one secondary inductance. The stationary unit has a device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive object in a predetermined area that borders the primary inductance. The area can be between the primary and secondary inductance during the inductive energy transfer. The device has at least one measuring inductance, a measuring unit for measuring the impedance of the measuring inductance and an evaluation unit connected to the measuring unit. Preferably, the device is equipped with a plurality of measuring inductances which form a regular two-dimensional arrangement extending approximately in one plane, the plane lying perpendicular to the main direction of the magnetic field that is generated by the primary inductance during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventors: Mathias Wechlin, Andrew Green
  • Patent number: 9193073
    Abstract: An encoded calibrating plate is fixed on the working environment of the robot arm and has a chessboard pattern with each square in the chessboard pattern being an encoding. The encoding indicates direction or position on the encoded calibration plate. A visual system of the robot arm captures an image of the encoded calibrating plate, calculates the coordinates encoding of the encoded calibration plate, and positions the visual system to calibrate a positioning error of the robot arm and the visual system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUANTA STORAGE INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Huang, Shao-Ji Shia, Jen-Chen Wu
  • Patent number: 9030380
    Abstract: A method, system and an interactive device for interaction with the electric field of touch-sensitive electronic display of a computing device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: R2Z Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Richter, Faranak Zadeh
  • Patent number: 8974295
    Abstract: An intelligent game system and apparatus comprises one or more sensors, a controller, a projector, one or more game pieces and one or more foldable three-dimensional terrain pieces. The game board and terrain pieces comprise one or more sensors each having an identifier for sensing when a game piece or terrain piece is located on the game board and/or terrain piece. The sensors obtain object information from the game pieces and/or terrain pieces and transfer the object information to a controller. The sensors of the terrain pieces transfer the object information to the sensor of the terrain piece below them until the bottom terrain piece transfer the object information to a game board sensor. The controller is thereby able to track properties of the game and/or terrain pieces, such as position, and adjust the gameplay accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: TweedleTech, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Martin Maharbiz, Steve Jaqua, Theodore Morichau-Beauchant
  • Patent number: 8932133
    Abstract: A system for playing board games includes a game board and at least one pawn. The game board includes a display configured to display on a board surface a game board layout. The display is further configured to display a pawn input image on the board surface. The pawn includes a contact surface for supporting the pawn on the board surface, and an image input part cooperating with the board surface to receive the pawn input image. The pawn also includes an image surface to display a pawn output image, and a device for relaying the pawn input image from the image input part to the image surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Hubertus Maria Rene Cortenraad, Martin Ouwerkerk, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman
  • Patent number: 8931780
    Abstract: A system for determining information regarding at least one object, comprising: a sensor sensitive to capacitive coupling; at least one object adapted to create a capacitive coupling with the sensor when at least one signal is input to the sensor; a detector adapted to measure at least one output signal of said sensor associated with the at least one object, wherein the output signal associated with the at least one object is an object information code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: N-trig Ltd.
    Inventors: Rafi Zachut, Haim Perski, Ori Rimon, Amir Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8696460
    Abstract: A game controller having at least one arm mobile in relation to a base over a nominal range of displacement between two extreme positions, which implements a stopping mechanism of the aim 1n an intermediary locking position between the extreme positions to avoid reaching involuntarily a zone of the nominal range of displacement. An element of the stopping mechanism is removable and/or retractable with respect to the base so that this element is able to take two positions, an active position, wherein the stopping mechanism in the intermediary locking position is active and cooperates with the base and the arm, and an inactive position, wherein the stopping mechanism is inactive. The game controller also implements mechanical means of crossing the intermediary locking position under the action of a specific control carried out by a user when the stopping mechanism is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Guillemot Corporation S.A.
    Inventors: Catherine Odinot, Guillaume Leleve, Patrick Pennaneac'h
  • Patent number: 8517383
    Abstract: An interactive game board system includes a game board, a plurality of capacitive sensors embedded in the game board, a microprocessor with input channels for the capacitive sensors, computer memory means, software instructions and data for directing an interactive game, one or more playing pieces with electrically an conductive portion, and power supply means. An interactive game board system includes interdigitated sensors. An interactive game board system includes capacitive sensors operating in dynamic sensing mode. An interactive game board system includes means for identifying individual game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pure Imagination, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip Trevor Odom
  • Patent number: 8460102
    Abstract: A game apparatus has a plurality of actuation devices in which at least two of the actuation devices require different mechanical actions for actuation. The apparatus further includes a speaker, a display screen, and a processor coupled to each of the actuation devices and to the display screen and the speaker. The processor outputs a first command signal to the speaker relating to a first actuation device, then outputs a second command signal to the speaker when the first actuation device is actuated, with the second command signal relating to a second actuation device. The processor outputs image signals to the display screen that are representative of the mechanical actions being taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 8435037
    Abstract: A learning system for testing aspects of how a child learns includes a toy-like electro-mechanical chassis having upstanding pegs. The child is encouraged to place donut shaped hand pieces onto the pegs. The hand pieces test the ability of the child to discriminate between different colors, and separately between different textures and different shapes and also tests the child's abilities in perception and creativity. The electro-mechanical chassis also is able to test the child's ability to discern and copy tones and rhythms. Information of the child's performance is automatically collected and compared with normalized results of a large tested group of subjects. Remediation focuses on activities related to the learning channels where the child is least astute and periodic retesting measures the ability of the child to improve in those channels to enable improvement of remediation approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Tina Marie Davis
  • Publication number: 20130069307
    Abstract: An educational device comprising a game board demarcated with a plurality of positions, each position having associated with it and actuator, actuation of which causes the communication device to provide instruction to the player as to what the player is supposed to do. A player can activate a random number generator to determine how many positions to move. Once instruction has been received, the player utilizes game pieces on the game board to execute the instruction. By going through this process, any player can learn a particular skill or gain particular knowledge that can be applied in life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce Ward
  • Patent number: 8191896
    Abstract: A card game apparatus includes a large-size panel display, a main control unit that controls screens on the large-size panel display, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses that are communicably connected to the main control unit. A game player purchases an integrated circuit card and, for example, eleven player cards on each of which, a soccer player's photograph is printed. When the game player arranges the player cards on a player card arrangement panel of one of the terminal apparatuses, card data recorded on the back of the player card will be read by an internal image sensor. Then, a team is organized by the player cards, and a game starts. The game player can direct a player's position and formation by changing placement of the player card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaji, Toshikazu Yoshida, Hidenori Shiba, Takao Yamauchi, Fumihiro Kato, Junichi Tsuchiya, Yoshitaka Maeyama, Jinichiro Okuda, Mitsuhiko Kakita
  • Patent number: 8172229
    Abstract: A card game system, including a plurality of terminal apparatuses, a card data reading unit for detecting unique data of each of cards when an operator arranges and manipulates a set of cards selected by the operator on a flat surface of the panel on the terminal apparatus, and a game execution unit which is arranged to organize a playing team in a virtual game space based on the data detected from the cards placed on the flat surface of the panel and to execute a game against another playing team organized on another terminal apparatus connected via a network. A progress of the game is controlled in response to manipulation by the operator with the cards on the panel, a main control unit to which individual game data is transmitted from the plurality of the terminal apparatuses, and a display connected to the main control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaji, Toshikazu Yoshida, Hidenori Shiba, Takao Yamauchi, Fumihiro Kato, Junichi Tsuchiya, Yoshitaka Maeyama, Jinichiro Okuda, Mitsuhiko Kakita
  • Patent number: 8132814
    Abstract: An apparatus to solve Sudoku puzzles, wherein each one of the 81 single-squares has nine sub-area squares, each having one of the 1 through 9 digits, with all digits set to ‘at-display’ at start, and by selectively setting to ‘no-display’ 8 digits at each one of the initially given number's single-square location of a given puzzle so as to set up the puzzle, followed by logically setting other digits to ‘no-display’ at other single-squares needing solutions, the process of ‘no-display’ setting can be continued until all the single-squares have for each one only one digit ‘at-display’ as per Sudoku rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Sastry Ganti
  • Publication number: 20120032394
    Abstract: An electronic game piece is illustrated and described. The electronic game piece can include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. Activation of the proximity sensor can cause the light to illuminate. The electronic game piece can be configured to light up when arranged with other electronic game pieces. The proximity sensor, for example, can be configured to be activated by a proximity-sensor target substantially identical to the proximity-sensor target of the electronic game piece, but separate from the electronic game piece. In some versions of the electronic game piece illustrated and described, the proximity-sensor target is magnetic and the proximity sensor can be activated by a magnetic field. Separate electronic game pieces can be capable of interlocking, such as interlocking when a top major surface of one electronic game piece is adjacent to a bottom major surface of another electronic game piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Levine
  • Publication number: 20120032395
    Abstract: An electronic game piece is illustrated and described. The electronic game piece can include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. Activation of the proximity sensor can cause the light to illuminate. The electronic game piece can be configured to light up when arranged with other electronic game pieces. The proximity sensor, for example, can be configured to be activated by a proximity-sensor target substantially identical to the proximity-sensor target of the electronic game piece, but separate from the electronic game piece. In some versions of the electronic game piece illustrated and described, the proximity-sensor target is magnetic and the proximity sensor can be activated by a magnetic field. Separate electronic game pieces can be capable of interlocking, such as interlocking when a top major surface of one electronic game piece is adjacent to a bottom major surface of another electronic game piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Levine
  • Patent number: 8104688
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the presence and identity of a game piece placed at a sensing location by attaching one or more conductive rings at fixed concentric locations on the bottom of the game piece and sensing the presence or absence of the conductive rings by means of sensors that are insensitive to the rotational orientation of the game piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip Trevor Odom
  • Patent number: 8087672
    Abstract: A hand-held, portable apparatus for recording chess moves operable between a recording mode and at least one other mode is described. The apparatus is adapted to uniquely identifying a user and includes an interface for electronically entering into a memory a chess move made by the user. A mechanism is provided for the apparatus to switch between the at least one other mode and the recording mode upon a player making a first move in a new game. The recording mode further includes a security module so that only authorized features are accessible when the apparatus is in the recording mode. The apparatus includes a power module and a communication module for securely communicating chess moves to a central location. The moves are recorded in a universal language. The invention also concerns a chess game tournament management system, as well as a system for recording and publishing chess moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Brana Malobabic
  • Publication number: 20110204565
    Abstract: A gaming table comprising a tabletop configured to receive gaming accessories, a base connected to and configured to support the tabletop, an antenna located in the tabletop and configured to operate by at least one of, detecting, reading, writing to, tracking, or any combination thereof, the gaming accessories, and a cup shield configured to keep the antenna from being read from outside the antenna system, shield and protect it from electromagnetic and RF interferences and prevent detuning, the cup shield being located under the tabletop and aligned with the antenna. The base can include a side wall connected to a back panel, a shelf connected to the side wall and the back panel, and a pipe configured to isolate, insulate or shield a plurality of wires, the back panel and the shelf having a plurality of openings configured to ventilate heat from inside the base to outside of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Emmanuel Gelinotte, Francisco Javier Moreno, Gregory Gronau, Justin Woodard
  • Patent number: 7954820
    Abstract: A gaming article that includes a sensing layer, a non-metallic electroluminescent layer disposed over a portion of the sensing layer, a story layer that is at least substantially transparent and depicts a game board thereon, wherein the story layer is disposed over a portion of the electroluminescent layer, and a sensing device that interacts with the sensing layer when it is adjacent to the story layer and transmits light therethrough from the electroluminescent layer to a player to facilitate display of relevant information. Also included are methods of playing a game, preferably a mystery game, using the gaming article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: Melissa Ines Bermudez, Golan Levin
  • Publication number: 20110127719
    Abstract: An electronic board game for at least two players, comprising an electronic device containing blocks to set the fundamental parameters and rules of the game and to create a game board with fields and with game pieces in the initial and current positions, which also contains the third block for the current evaluation of the numerical values of the individual fields, which vary in the course of the game depending on the positions of the game pieces the current numerical values of the fields being dependent on the current strength, expressed as a number, with which the game pieces in whose range of power these fields are located affect the fields, and also contains blocks to display the game pieces on the game board and to color and show the numerical values of the individual fields depending on the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Jan Hornik