Perceptible Output Or Display (e.g., Tactile, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/30)
  • Patent number: 10013756
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to systems for measuring the frequency and duration of an individual's use of an assistive device for mobility, such as a cane, in day-to-day life at home. In certain embodiments, the system is a stand-alone unit that does not require the monitored individual to wear any special sensors or use any special assistive devices. Further, in certain embodiments, the system does not require the use of visual-light images or video. The systems and methods, in certain embodiments, gather day-to-day metrics of frequency and duration of assistive-device use and may be used to monitor changes over time of the use of an assistive device by an individual for ambulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Atlas5D, Inc.
    Inventors: Zebadiah M. Kimmel, Jonathan S. Varsanik
  • Patent number: 10013060
    Abstract: A system includes an electronic device that includes a display screen, a cover configured to cover the display screen, a sensor configured to sense an input gesture comprising deformation and/or movement of the cover relative to the electronic device, and a processor configured to determine an action for the electronic device to perform based on the input gesture, to determine a haptic effect to generate based on the input gesture and/or the action for the electronic device to perform, and to initiate the action. The system also includes a haptic output device configured to generate the haptic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Abdelwahab Hamam, Vahid Khoshkava, Liwen Wu
  • Patent number: 10010791
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customized camera views and customized objects within virtualized environments are provided herein. In one embodiment a method includes detecting a gameplay event of interest within a virtual gaming environment and displaying a customized camera view of the gameplay event of interest based on user input receiving during traversal of a projectile from a weapon to a target. The customized camera view has a focal point of the projectile. In some embodiments the projectile has a virtual wrapper that can include a user-provided image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hothead Games Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Ceraldi, Brad Steeves, Bryan Brandt
  • Patent number: 9992139
    Abstract: A technology to schedule a virtualized computing resource is described. A scheduling request electronic message is received. The scheduling request electronic message has a resource identifier, an action and a trigger condition. The scheduling request is authenticated by verifying a sender of the scheduling request is on an approved list defined for the virtualized computing resource, using an electronic challenge sent to a requestor of the scheduling request electronic message. An action is performed on the virtualized computing resource referenced by the resource identifier when the trigger condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy John Meyer, Eric Jason Brandwine
  • Patent number: 9983592
    Abstract: A moving robot configured to generate a map of an environment of a territory and allow a user to set a structure of the territory and information on the map used for a location-based service and to use a more intuitively intelligent service is provided. The moving robot includes an operation performer configured to move around a territory and perform a certain operation, a detector configured to collect map building information of the territory, and a controller configured to control the moving robot to move to a set particular area within the territory by referring to the map information of the territory generated based on the collected map building information and control the operation performer to perform the operation with respect to the particular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-hyuk Hong, Jung-wook Kim, Nikolay Burlutskiy, Seung-young Shin
  • Patent number: 9976867
    Abstract: A navigation method for a wearer of a see-through head mounted device, the method comprising: •—a wearer visualization parameter providing step (S1), during which at least one wearer visualization parameter is provided, •—a geo-position determining step (S2), during which the geo-position of the wearer along a route is determined, •—a geo-position comparing step during which the geo-position of the wearer determined during the geo-position determining step is compared to stored geo-positions along the route and •—a navigation visual aid function adapting step (S3) during which upon matching of the geo-position of the wearer with one of the stored geo-positions, the navigation visual aid function is adapted based on the wearer vision parameter and the geo-position of the wearer to facilitate the guiding of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Amandine Debieuvre, Benoît Callier, Marion Swital
  • Patent number: 9937417
    Abstract: A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toys near or on the peripheral. Each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user's gameplay experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Reiche, I-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 9925460
    Abstract: An example image processing system and method uses a control device including a movement detector. Gesture inputs corresponding to a gesture made by moving the control device are used for animation. An animation begins based on at least one gesture input received prior to completion of the gesture and the animation is modified based on at least one gesture input received after the beginning of the animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Rabin, Keizo Ohta, Kenta Sato
  • Patent number: 9928690
    Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Akihiko Naito, Michael Ratner, Edward Sepich, Thomas Soukup, Yuji Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9921795
    Abstract: A system, mobile device and method for displaying a medical image using multiple mobile devices are disclosed. A master mobile device for displaying a medical image includes a communication unit, a device information collection unit, and an arrangement designation unit. The communication unit wirelessly communicates with surrounding mobile devices and a medical image provision system. The device information collection unit searches for surrounding slave mobile devices that are to operate as slaves via the communication unit, collects the device information of each of the retrieved slave mobile devices while communicating with the retrieved slave mobile devices, and control the communication unit to transmit device information of the master mobile device and the collected device information to the medical image provision system. The arrangement designation unit receives recommended arrangement information from the medical image provision system, and outputs the recommended arrangement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Infinitt Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Wook Cho, Jin Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 9914054
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide real-time display of achievements to a user during gameplay. A computing device receives a request from a user to display a portion of achievement data describing performance of the user in a gaming application. Responsive to the received request, the achievement data is filtered based on contextual criteria. The filtered achievement data is provided to a user interface for display during gameplay. The displayed achievement data is updated by the computing device updates during gameplay. The achievement data may be system-level achievement data. Further, the achievement data may be displayed on another computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Smith, Zane W S Teh, Nathan Johnson, Mengyuan Tu, Mitch A. Johnson, Casey Baker, Eric Cancino, Cierra D. McDonald
  • Patent number: 9907997
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for measuring and analyzing movements of a body and for communicating information related to such body movements over a network. In certain embodiments, a system gathers biometric and biomechanical data relating to positions, orientations, and movements of various body parts of a user performed during sports activities, physical rehabilitation, or military or law enforcement activities. The biometric and biomechanical data can be communicated to a local and/or remote interface, which uses digital performance assessment tools to provide a performance evaluation to the user. The performance evaluation may include a graphical representation (e.g., a video), statistical information, and/or a comparison to another user and/or instructor. In some embodiments, the biometric and biomechanical data is communicated wirelessly to one or more devices including a processor, display, and/or data storage medium for further analysis, archiving, and data mining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Norman Cusey, Jay Allen Shears, Harold Dan Stirling
  • Patent number: 9889385
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for management of storage space utilized by video game information based in part on the engagement of the video game user. For example, one aspect of the invention provides a method of providing information for play of a video game, comprising determining a storage parameter based on user game play related information, the storage parameter indicative of level of commitment of the user to the video game; outside of a game play session of the video game, providing, over a communications network, first information to a compute device associated with the user, the first information for use in providing for game play of the video game by the compute device, the first information being an amount of information determined based on the storage parameter; and during a game play session of the video game, providing additional information for use in providing for game play of the video game by the compute device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Marr, Keith S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9889383
    Abstract: An electronic device may be configurable to operate in a voice morphing mode, such as while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a player participating in an online multiplayer game via a game console. While operating in the voice morphing mode, the electronic device may be configured to modify particular audio (e.g., player chat) based on one or more parameter settings, corresponding to particular audio profile (e.g., corresponding to a particular character). The electronic device may initiate voice morphing based on command from the player, and/or based on a signal received by the electronic device, such as indicating a role of the player (e.g., the game character selected by and/or assigned to the player). Audio profiles and/or parameter settings may be preset, and may be stored for use thereof, such as in electronic device itself or in other location (e.g., the game console or a remote database).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kulavik
  • Patent number: 9889375
    Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. A common space is modeled in the computer memory configured in relation to the plurality of parallel instances so that an object located inside the common space is visible from viewpoints located inside each of the plurality of parallel instances. Remote clients may output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Mark Shuster, Gary Stephen Shuster
  • Patent number: 9884257
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for preventing misoperations of an intelligent terminal, which includes detecting gesture operation information of a touch screen corresponding to a location around a non-player-controlled character (NPC) in a game; determining whether the detected gesture operation information includes first gesture information; and shielding game characters of non-NPC when the detected gesture operation information contains the first gesture information. The method can prevent a misoperation of the intelligent terminal, thereby improving user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Junming Wang, Zhonghua Yu
  • Patent number: 9873051
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of providing a game, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory of a device, retrieving from at least one memory information associated with a plurality of first objects and one or more characteristics of said first objects and causing said objects with said one or more characteristics to be displayed on a first area of a display in an arrangement, executing an algorithm which identifies a match condition between said first objects in which at least one of said objects comprises an action characteristic, determines at least one upgrade path in the arrangement in dependence on the action characteristic and determines if at least one first object comprising an action characteristic is positioned on the at least one upgrade path and, if so, determines a level characteristic value of said at least one first object positioned on the determined upgrade path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Tina Nilsson, Klas Norden
  • Patent number: 9875129
    Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computer system and from a first computing device, a request to access a simulation of an application running a second computing device; identifying, by the computer system, one or more types of input that are available on the second computing device and that are not available on the first computing device; generating one or more controls for each of at least a portion of the identified types of input; instantiating, by the computer system, a virtual machine that simulates the second computing device; and providing information to the first computing device that causes i) an interface for the application as executed by the virtual machine to be presented by the first computing device and ii) the generated controls to be presented by the first computing device in association with the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham Murray
  • Patent number: 9849387
    Abstract: Measurement data is correlated to one or more probable user states. The measurement data is associated with a user of the computing device and received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Execution of an application running on the computing device is altered based on the probable user states. In another embodiment, probable user states for a user of a computing device are processed. The probable user states are indicative of a level or type of interaction of the user with the computing device. The probable user states are also determined based on analysis of measurement data received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Indications of the probable user states are provided during execution of an online application on a second computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Ethan Johnson, Nicholas Joshua Lawson, Matthew James Van Gorder, Robert Duane Rost, Eadan Bloch
  • Patent number: 9852579
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming system and method modifying of one or more options provided to a player based on the player's previously chosen options. When a triggering event occurs, the gaming system displays an indication of each of a first plurality of options and enables the player to choose one of the first plurality of options. The gaming system stores player choice data representing the player's chosen one of the first plurality of options. Upon an occurrence of one or more modification events, the gaming system modifies the first plurality of options based at least in part on which of the first plurality of options were previously chosen by the player. Following a subsequent occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming system displays an indication of each of the modified first plurality of options and enables the player to choose one of the modified first plurality of options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Kevin N. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9852585
    Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Yuji Taniguchi, Michael Ratner, Akihiko Naito, Edward Sepich, Thomas Soukup
  • Patent number: 9846942
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and system for determining a pose of a first camera, comprising providing or receiving a spatial relationship (Rvc1) between a visual content displayed on a display device and the first camera, receiving image information associated with an image (B1) of at least part of the displayed visual content captured by a second camera, and determining a pose of the first camera according to the image information associated with the image (B1) and the spatial relationship (Rvc1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lejing Wang, Peter Meier
  • Patent number: 9839846
    Abstract: Method and device of displaying a game are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a first user input pausing a game in progress; in response to receiving the first user input pausing the game in progress, switching the game from a normal state to a pause state; detecting a second user input resuming the game from the pause state; and in response to detecting the second user input resuming the game from the pause state: switching the game from the pause state to a transition state, wherein during the transition state, the game progresses at a slower rate than a game progress rate associated with the normal state at or prior to the receipt of the first user input; and switching the game from the transition state to the normal state in accordance with predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Baike Lin
  • Patent number: 9833695
    Abstract: In certain implementations, a presentation of a virtual counterpart of an action figure may be provided based on action figure state information obtained via wireless communication with the action figure. As an example, an action figure may be detected within a short wireless communication range of a computer system. A wireless connection between the computer system and the action figure may be established based on the detection. Action figure state information identifying a position of a moveable part of the action figure relative to another part of the action figure may be received at the computer system from the action figure via the wireless connection. The relative position may be related to a pose exhibited by the action figure. A virtual counterpart of the action figure may be presented based on the relative position such that the virtual counterpart exhibits the same pose as the action figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9830125
    Abstract: An information processing method and an electronic device are provided, which are applied to a first electronic device. The method includes: obtaining a first multimedia file; displaying a first display window on the display unit when playing the first multimedia file; acquiring a first display direction of the first display window; and controlling an output of audio data of the first multimedia file according to the first display direction, where a transmission state of the audio data at a first position satisfies a first preset condition; and a first direction starting from a point of the first display window to the first position is consistent with the first display direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuanyi Zhang, Xu Jia, Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9827489
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gaming system projecting volumetric images onto a physical scene that includes a background and props positioned in front of the background. A gaming engine causes a projector to project an image onto the physical scene. A pointer device receives triggering commands from an operator. A camera captures an image of a portion of the physical scene being targeted by the pointer device. The captured portion includes lighting points emitted by the physical scene, the captured lighting points forming a specific pattern. A targeting system uses the specific pattern as a reference to identify a three-dimensional position of a target located within the captured portion and causes the gaming engine to modify a visible feature of the target when a when a triggering command is received at the pointer device. A method of projecting volumetric images onto the physical scene is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TRIOTECH AMUSEMENT INC.
    Inventors: Ernest Yale, Eric Marradi, Jean-Francois D'Arrisso, Yannick Solari
  • Patent number: 9821231
    Abstract: A computer executing a game program performs operations such as providing a game space shared by at least a first user and a second user through a network; arranging at least a first object associated with the first user and a second object and a third object associated with the second user in the game space; operating a first character having a first number associated with the first object to advance from the first object toward the second object and displaying the first character; operating a second character having a second number associated with the third object to advance toward the first character, and reducing the first number on the basis of the second number according to the advance of the second character; and operating the first character having the reduced first number to reach the second object and displaying the first character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: COLOPL, Inc.
    Inventor: Hajime Kurebayashi
  • Patent number: 9814988
    Abstract: An adaptor is provided for a games console which allows users to gain access to interactive television services through the games console. The adaptor includes a television tuner for receiving broadcast television channels, a communications controller which controls communications between the adaptor and the games console and an interface for interfacing the adaptor to the games console. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor also includes a hard disc for storing video data and for storing game history data. The adaptor may also include a modem via which the user can gain access to remote servers connected to a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Shaheedur Reza Haque, Gerard Anthony Brian Keating, David Cecil Robinson, Richard Andrew Morrell
  • Patent number: 9785253
    Abstract: Pointing device like mouse or joystick comprises camera for capturing the display screen and image processing means for recognizing and tracking the pointing cursor icon or mark from the captured image and producing the pointing signal. The pointing device of present invention can be used with any type of display without and additional tracking means like ultra sonic sensor, infrared sensor or touch sensor. The pointing device of present invention includes mark outputting portion, camera portion for capturing the said mark outputting portion and image processing portion for recognizing the said mark outputting portion from the captured image and producing the pointing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Moon Key Lee
  • Patent number: 9779576
    Abstract: A method for facilitating placement of wagers in an online game during game play includes displaying a first view of a wagering grid for an online game, with the wagering grid having lines. The method further includes receiving an input that is a gesture representing placement of a wager by a user on the wagering grid, and displaying a second view of the wagering grid that is a pop-up view. The second view, which can be a zoomed view or a magnified view, excludes any other placed wagers to facilitate placement of the wager by the user with respect to the lines of the wagering grid. Once the user has placed the wager, the method includes displaying an updated version of the first view that includes the wager placed by the user. In one example, the online game is a roulette game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Arthur Shoenhair, Ibrahim Nabil Rageh, Christopher Mark Karo
  • Patent number: 9779327
    Abstract: Mechanisms for generating a cognitive traits avatar are provided. The mechanisms analyze a portion of content submitted by a user to extract features of the portion of content. The mechanisms map the extracted features to one or more cognitive traits and select an image corresponding to the one or more cognitive traits. The mechanisms further generate a cognitive traits avatar comprising the selected image and cognitive traits data defining a graphical representation of the one or more cognitive traits for output in association with the selected image. The cognitive traits avatar is output as part of an interaction of the user with another entity, or representation of another entity, via a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Alissa J. Hartenbaum, Trenton J. Johnson, Joseph N. Kozhaya, Laura J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9770661
    Abstract: Techniques are described for displaying avatars within a virtual environment in a way that avoids an appearance of offensive content. Embodiments of the invention receive a request specifying a first location within the virtual environment to move a first user-controlled virtual object to. A zone encompassing the specified location is then identified and a second location within the identified zone is determined. Embodiments then output the virtual environment for display in a manner that shows the first user-controlled virtual object positioned at the determined second location within the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Priebe
  • Patent number: 9773068
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for deriving trustful metadata for an application are disclosed. For example, the method crawls online for the application, analyzes the application to determine a function of the application, and generates trustful meta-data for the application based upon the function of the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrea G. Forte, Baris Coskun, Qi Shen, Ilona Murynets, Jeffrey Bickford, Mikhail Istomin, Paul Giura, Roger Piqueras Jover, Ramesh Subbaraman, Suhas Mathur, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9751013
    Abstract: First, movement information that allows calculation of a movement of a first input device is sequentially obtained. During a time period in which at least one operation key is in a predetermined input state, a display image is enlarged or reduced in accordance with a change of the movement information. When it is determined that the predetermined input state is canceled, the enlarged or reduced display image is caused to return to its original magnification and an action of at least one first object in the display image is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshikawa, Hitoshi Yamagami, Toshio Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9731208
    Abstract: Video game systems for executing instructions according to a video game contained on an item of first media including: an item of second media containing data defining an aspect of the video game; and a video game console including a housing, a first media device supported by the housing, a second media device supported by the housing, and a control unit supported by the housing and configured to control the first media device to read the item of first media and to control the second media device to read the item of second media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Bradbury, Daniel Stelung
  • Patent number: 9710939
    Abstract: A storage unit (12) stores first drawing data shared in common by at least two video frames among a plurality of video frames. A control unit (13) generates second drawing data based on second drawing instruction data (122) for drawing a portion that differs in drawing data pertaining to the plurality of video frames and generates the drawing data pertaining to the plurality of video frames by combining the first drawing data and the second drawing data. An output unit (14) outputs video based on the drawing data pertaining to the plurality of video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Edward Parrott
  • Patent number: 9710934
    Abstract: Various aspects of an apparatus and a method to generate a shadow of an object embedded in a target image are disclosed herein. The method includes generation of an object mask of the embedded object in the target image. The object mask is categorized into a first category or a second category based on a pre-determined set of rules. Based on the categorization, a shadow of the object in the target image is generated. The generation of the shadow comprises dilating the categorized object mask by a predetermined multiplication factor when the categorized object mask corresponds to the first category. The generation of the shadow further comprises determination of depth information of the categorized object mask at a pre-determined height when the categorized object mask corresponds to the second category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Usikov, Mohammad Gharavi-Alkhansari
  • Patent number: 9700786
    Abstract: A heteromorphic attachment and a system used in a laser gunfight game, including: a heteromorphic body, at least one movable unit located on the heteromorphic body, a driving device for driving the at least one movable unit to operate, and a control circuit, wherein the heteromorphic body and the at least one movable unit are formed by a surface rubber film. A transitional module is provided on the heteromorphic attachment, and used for placing or attaching the heteromorphic attachment on a game participant or game facility or game field. A laser transmitter and/or an infrared transmitting tube is also provided on the heteromorphic attachment, and used for transmitting a laser encoding signal and/or an infrared encoding signal. A human body sensor is further provided on the heteromorphic attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Kali Ma
  • Patent number: 9697676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a player card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a player card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring player identification information from the player card; sending the player identification information via a network to a server; retrieving player specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the player specific information in conjunction with the player card when viewing the player card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Murugeshun Arun Arumugam, Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 9659447
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system involving augmented wagering. In one contemplated approach, context-sensitive betting options are conveniently presented to a player. Promotion of time sensitive propositions are presented to both simplify the wagering experience and provide a better targeted experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9653119
    Abstract: An apparatus generating audio cues for content indicative of the position of audio objects within the content comprising: an audio processor receiving raw audio tracks for said content and information indicative of the positions of at least some of said audio tracks within frames of said content, said audio processor generating corresponding audio parameters; an authoring tool receiving said audio parameters and generating encoding coefficients, said audio parameters including audio cue of the position of audio objects corresponding to said tracks in at least one spatial dimension; and a first audio/video encoder receiving an input and encoding said input into an audio visual content having visual objects and audio objects, said audio objects being disposed at location corresponding to said one spatial position, said encoder using said encoding coefficients for said encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Darcy Antonellis, Massimiliano Gasparri, Lewis S. Ostrover, Bradley Thomas Collar
  • Patent number: 9638800
    Abstract: A passive-tracking system is described herein. The system can include a visible-light sensor, a sound transducer, a thermal sensor, a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, and a processor. The processor can receive visible-light frames from the visible-light sensor, sound frames from the sound transducer, thermal frames from the thermal sensor, and modulated-light frames from the ToF sensor. The processor, based on data of the visible-light and temperature frames, can also determine that an object is a living being and can provide an X and Y position of the object. The processor, based on data of the sound and positioning frames, can determine a Z position of the object. The X, Y, and Z positions may combine to form a three-dimensional (3D) position of the object. The processor can also passively track the object over time by selectively updating the 3D position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: 4Sense, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislaw K Skowronek, Christopher M Wade, Antonio A Ricco
  • Patent number: 9641623
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more computerized devices through a slave device that is appointed to operate as the master device is disclosed. The inventive method comprises an event defined by one or more event parameters, appointing a master device designation to a computerized device for the event, initiating a communication channel with one or more slave devices, initiating a slave application layer on one or more slave devices, presenting through the slave application layer a registration option for the event, receiving, a registration selection for the event, initiating a master application layer on the computerized device, presenting, through the master application layer, one or more slave command options, receiving, on the computerized device, one or more slave commands, and transmitting the one or more slave commands to one or more registered slave devices through the communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Todd Christopher Smith
  • Patent number: 9635506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a wireless coach-to-player communications system based on specific locales of players on the field. A combination of location based services and wireless access points and hubs tasked with communicating with particular players or particular zones where players are present (as determined through the use of location based services) is implemented as a part of the communications system. As a result of dedicating communication from certain access points and hubs to certain players or zones, coaches may communicate openly with some or all of their players in a particular region of the field. The system may also be used for targeted communications with fans and spectators attending a sporting event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PROSPORTS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: John Cronin
  • Patent number: 9633526
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an electronic gaming device including a memory, a processor, and a plurality of reels. The memory may include one or more near field modules. A processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas. The processor may initiate one or more game play functions based on location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Jarrett Polis
  • Patent number: 9630063
    Abstract: A usable golf ball including an on-demand illuminating device embedded therein that is activated by exposure to external light impulses is provided. Such an illuminating device includes a photocell securely and safely positioned within the subject golf ball core in a suitable manner to allow for uniform weight displacement therein. Additionally, the device includes a switch that operates in response to light impulses wherein an initial light impulse exposure turns the photocell on and a subsequent light impulse exposure deactivates the photocell. With a properly configured illuminatable dimpled ball surface material, the resultant ball will thus illuminate on demand to permit a distinct aesthetically pleasing and/or recognizable iridescent color therefore. Such a golf ball thus includes at least one surface window structure to permit such light impulse exposure externally by the user that leads inward directly to the device switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Michael Thompson, Jessica Anne Thompson
  • Patent number: 9632582
    Abstract: A magnetic suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen. The magnetic suspension system may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending upon the application. The magnetic suspension system includes a first programmable magnet coupled to a first body and a second programmable magnet coupled to a second body. The programmable magnets simultaneously repel and attract each other in a nominal configuration such that the second body is suspended a programmed spaced-apart distance from the first body. The programmable magnets also allow movement between the first and second bodies in reaction to a force applied to the second body by a haptic actuator with a programmed spring force such that the first and second bodies return to the nominal configuration when no force is applied to the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Billington, Elena Redelsheimer, William Rihn
  • Patent number: 9610507
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing game program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute: an automatic move process of automatically moving a player character on a game field toward a first destination on the basis of destination information regarding a destination set in the game field, when an operation input to start an automatic move of the player character on the game field is received from a player; a destination change process of changing the first destination to a second destination on the basis of the destination information when an operation input to change the destination is received from the player while the player character is on the automatic move; and an automatic move changing process of automatically moving the player character, moving toward the first destination on the game field, toward the second destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Watabe
  • Patent number: 9607114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating a motion system of a simulator provided for simulating motion and/or acceleration values, wherein at least one acceleration value (1) which is to be simulated is simulated by the motion system being inclined in relation to the earth's vertical, and an additional translatory motion profile (5) of the motion system is determined in order to compensate liar a simulation error (3) until the positioning angle is reached. Activation then takes place in dependence on an inclination profile and the additional translatory motion profile (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft— und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Carsten Seehof
  • Patent number: RE46731
    Abstract: A computer-based ordering system for ordering goods and services includes a plurality of self-service client terminals and a server. Each self-service client terminal runs a self-order application including a set of interactive menu screens having buttons that allow the customer to select and customize products for the order. An administration tool application communicates with the server to administer the self-service client terminals. The administration tool application including a menu editor that enables the administrator to create and edit the interactive menu screens provided by the self-order application at the self-service client terminals. The menu editor accesses a library of menu templates containing predefined groupings of buttons, and uses the menu templates, as directed by the administrator, during creation and editing of the interactive menu screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nextep Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Woycik, Charles Wheeler