Perceptible Output Or Display (e.g., Tactile, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/30)
  • Patent number: 9607492
    Abstract: A device that produces patterned tactile sensations or events discernible to human touch from micro-actuators housed in a fabric, or other pliable material, where such actuated sensations or events are discernible by a user donning the fabric. The device is configured to convert electronically stored music or audio data into a sequence of patterned tactile sensations or events in a matrix across the fabric, providing a tactile representation of the music or audio data to the user. The discernible tactile sensations or events may alternately comprise retractable physical features, electric stimuli, and/or combinations of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas D. Churovich
  • Patent number: 9600832
    Abstract: Provided is a method for advertising and retailing products and services in cloud gaming environments. A game provider may configure its cloud gaming environment to display third party advertisement before, during, or after the game. The advertisement may be in the form of timeout screens, banners, gaming objects, prizes, and other forms associated with typical cloud gaming environments. Third party advertisers benefit from additional advertisement exposure in these cloud gaming environments, which tend to be dynamic and interactive, and target new audience. Advertisement interaction levels may be measure to determine effectiveness and, for example, to collect certain fees from advertisers. An interaction level of interaction may be determined based on a number of clicks on advertisement objects, duration of exposure to the advertisement, a number of players, and various other factors. Game providers may modify their cloud gaming environments to improve these interaction levels and, as a result, collect more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Dylan T X Zhou
  • Patent number: 9597593
    Abstract: A game method and a game system to perform the game method and embodied as a computer, the method including verifying, from a team of a user configured during a game, a chemistry level set based on a relationship between characters constituting a team, and graphically displaying the relationship between the characters on a screen based on the chemistry level. The game may be performed by applying the chemistry level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: NHN Entertainment Corporation, NHN Blackpick Corporation
    Inventors: Kieran Kyunghoon Park, Hyun Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 9591432
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle entertainment unit mounted in a vehicle using a center stack control system of the vehicle includes establishing a BLUETOOTH connection between the center stack control system and the vehicle entertainment unit, retrieving metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit, transmitting the metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit to the center stack control system via the BLUETOOTH connection, receiving a control command at the vehicle entertainment unit via the BLUETOOTH connection, mapping the control command to a corresponding function of the vehicle entertainment unit at the vehicle entertainment unit, and executing the corresponding function at the vehicle entertainment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard Paul Burns
  • Patent number: 9582968
    Abstract: A method of activating a lottery ticket at a mobile device, comprising: performing the following to a mobile device side: acquiring, by a camera of the mobile device, an image of a lottery ticket having an identification code and a visual security means; sending the identification code to a main server; receiving instructions to manipulate an interactive three-dimensional presentation from the main server; augmenting the interactive three-dimensional presentation in an image sequence imaging the lottery ticket, the image sequence is currently captured by the camera and displayed by the mobile device; receiving input from a user interacting with the interactive three-dimensional presentation using user interface of the mobile device; and manipulating the interactive three-dimensional presentation according to the instructions and in response to processing the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: PayMaxs Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Rosenheimer, Shahar Koren Pinto
  • Patent number: 9579569
    Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: in the game, a player is automatically allocated lives, is only permitted to play a game if it has one or more lives left, and loses one or more lives if it fails a level; and in which a player can see which of their friends on the social network are playing, or have played, the game and the level they have reached; and in which the processor enables players who are friends on the social network to collaborate, including by sending a message to their friends, or a subset of their friends, transferring in-game assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Sebastian Knutsson
  • Patent number: 9576422
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for operating wagering game machines are disclosed. A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first display device that is configured to display aspects of the wagering game. The first display device includes a touchscreen configured to receive user inputs. The gaming machine also includes a second display device that is configured to display a plurality of user-selectable elements. The second display device is further configured to display a selection mechanism in response to a first user input received from a user via the touchscreen of the first display device. The second display device is also configured, in response to a second user input received from the user via the touchscreen of the first display device, to display the selection mechanism selecting at least one of the displayed user-selectable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Christopher T. Fester, Jesse L. Garvey, Samuel D. Ralston
  • Patent number: 9557836
    Abstract: Depth image compression is described for example, to enable body-part centers of players of a game to be detected in real time from depth images or for other applications such as augmented reality, and human-computer interaction. In an embodiment, depth images which have associated body-part probabilities, are compressed using probability mass which is related to the depth of an image element and a probability of a body part for the image element. In various examples, compression of the depth images using probability mass enables body part center detection, by clustering output elements, to be speeded up. In some examples, the scale of the compression is selected according to a depth of a foreground region and in some cases different scales are used for different image regions. In some examples, certainties of the body-part centers are calculated using probability masses of clustered image elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Toby Sharp, Jamie Daniel Joseph Shotton
  • Patent number: 9558610
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for providing a gesture input interface. In some embodiments, a 3-dimensional display of a game is rendered by a gaming system, where at least one game component is projected out of a screen of a display device and into a 3-dimensional space between the screen and a player. The gaming system may receive, from at least one contactless sensor device, location information indicative of a location of at least one anatomical feature of the player. The gaming system may analyze the location information indicative of the location of the at least one anatomical feature of the player in conjunction with a state of the game to identify an input command associated with the at least one game component, and may cause an action to be taken in the game, the action being determined based on the input command associated with the at least one game component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: IGT Canada Solutions ULC
    Inventors: Stefan Keilwert, Fayez Idris
  • Patent number: 9545579
    Abstract: An information processing device is configured to execute: performing game processing including movement of a plurality of characters in a virtual world; specifying one character as a specific character on the basis of predetermined conditions; judging whether there is commonality in movement of a plurality of non-specific characters other than the specific character; determining at least one of the characters for which it has been judged that there is commonality, as a preferential display character; and adjusting drawing related parameters so that the preferential display character is located in a predetermined area of a display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hishinuma, Hideyuki Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 9544666
    Abstract: For automated post roll production, a selection module 320 generates a link video list 240 from a video database 110. Each link video 200 in the link video list 240 includes at least one clip characteristic 215 matching a video characteristic of a target video 105 and each link video 200 is associated with a video clip 210 and a video address 205. The selection module 320 further selects a link video 200 from the link video list 240 according to a policy 115. A script generation module 325 generates a mask script 285 that specifies a mask dimension 415, a mask mark in 420, and a mask location 410 of the video clip 210 of the selected link video 200 within the target video 105. The script generation module 325 further generates an annotation script 280 that specifies a link location for a navigation link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: ZEFR, INC.
    Inventors: Philip F. Southam, Mike K. Goedecke
  • Patent number: 9511290
    Abstract: If one has at his disposition a robust display which can be thrown around, a whole new range of computer games can be designed. The electronic gaming system comprises: a robust, moveable display (101); a game controller (103), arranged to generate a game scenario, comprising generation of pictures to be displayed on the robust moveable display (101); and a trajectory mapping unit (105), arranged to map a virtual trajectory in space-time of a virtual world in the game scenario, with at least two of the pictures with unequal picture content corresponding to different locations of the virtual space-time trajectory, to a real trajectory of the robust moveable display (101) in real space, so that at an appropriate moment the two of the pictures are displayed on the robust moveable display (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mark Jozef Willem Mertens
  • Patent number: 9504918
    Abstract: To provide a video display system for allowing a user to look at and listen to video and sound on various means. A video display system has a video display device and a portable video display device, connected to each other for communication. The video display device produces own device video data and own device sound data to be displayed and reproduced, respectively, on the video display device; displays the own device video data and reproduces the own device sound data; encodes these data into a data format which the portable video display device is able to handle, to thereby produce other device video data and other device sound data; and sends to the portable video display device. The portable video display device receives these data, and decodes and displays the other device video data, and decodes and reproduces the other device sound data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Ikuo Tsukagoshi, Kenichi Imai, Takenori Ohshima, Yuichi Nishimori, Masaru Masuda
  • Patent number: 9501141
    Abstract: A display device includes an image processing device and a 3D (three-dimensional) display device. The image processing device captures and processes images of a plurality of objects to obtain positions of the plurality of objects. When a distance between at least two of the plurality of objects is smaller than a predetermined distance, the image processing device sets the at least two objects as a first group and sets an object of the plurality of objects that is closest to the first group as a first object, according to the positions of the plurality of objects. The 3D display device adjusts a visible range according to positions of the first group and the first object. A method for adjusting a visible range is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hung-Che Lin, Shu-Wei Lin, Sheng-Ju Ho, Chih-Chieh Wang, Chia-Hsiang Chiu, Shang-Jie Wu
  • Patent number: 9495689
    Abstract: The method and system for coupling mobile interactive content to a club reward program is disclosed herein. A business utilizes the present inventions as part of a marketing campaign that is targeted to a customer's mobile communication device. The invention delivers an enticing interactive game to their customer's mobile communication device, rewarding the customer for successfully completing the game with prizes, recording the game player and game details, and auditing the information to ensure the integrity of the game play outcome, and automatically logging those prizes into the business' club reward system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Joingo, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Boyle, Russell S. Greer
  • Patent number: 9483159
    Abstract: A fact checking system is able to verify the correctness of information and/or characterize information by comparing the information with one or more sources. The fact checking system automatically monitors, processes, fact checks information and indicates a status of the information. The fact checking system is able to incorporate a graphical user interface with fact checking icons to indicate fact checking results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation
    Inventor: Lucas J. Myslinski
  • Patent number: 9474964
    Abstract: In certain implementations, state information of an action figure may be provided via wireless communication. As an example, a device may be detected within a short wireless communication range of an action figure. A wireless connection between the action figure and the device may be established based on the detection. Sensor information may be obtained via one or more sensors of the action figure. 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 generated based on the sensor information. The relative position may be related to a pose exhibited by the action figure. The state information may be provided to the device via the wireless connection. 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: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9471686
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more computing devices. The method uses data identifying a particular user of a plurality of users, a title, and a plurality of achievements that may be earned with respect to the title. The data identifying which of the achievements the particular user has earned. The method includes determining an achievement difficulty value for each of the achievements, determining a title interest contribution value for each of the achievements as a function of the achievement difficulty value determined for the achievement, identifying one or more of the achievements that were earned by the particular user, and determining a user interest value as a function of the title interest contribution value determined for each of the identified one or more of the achievements (earned by the particular user). The user interest value indicates a level of interest of the particular user with respect to the title.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GROUPFABRIC INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Felsöbüki Nagy
  • Patent number: 9440158
    Abstract: In certain implementations, secured communication with an action figure or action figure accessory may be provided. As an example, a device may be detected within a short wireless communication range of the action figure or action figure accessory. A wireless connection may be established between the action figure or action figure accessory and the device based on the detection. A first key may be obtained. First encrypted information may be received from the device via the wireless connection, and processed based on the first key to determine a second key. An identifier associated with the action figure or action figure accessory may be obtained. Second encrypted information may be generated based on the second key and the identifier, and provided to the device via the wireless connection. The second encrypted information may be used to obtain a virtual counterpart of the action figure or action figure accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9418571
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for training a user, such as an athlete, a performer and/or any other suitable person, how to avoid injuries to the body, particularly so that there is no need for rehabilitation of an injured body part. At least two parameters of performance are compared to each other and/or to given data or other information, for example information taken from a database. For example, the at least two parameters can include two different distances that are measured and compared with respect to each other. A computer or other processor can run algorithms and/or any other suitable functions to calculate how the user should make a next movement in an accident avoidance training session. One or more next movements can be communicated in a wired manner, a wireless manner and/or any other suitable communication manner. The next movement can be displayed on a graphical user interface device and/or on any other suitable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Terry I. Younger
  • Patent number: 9415311
    Abstract: Providing a location-based online game for a plurality of mobile devices, including: assigning a force field around a player corresponding to each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a radius of the force field is proportional to a score or experience point of the player in the online game; determining a location of said each mobile device; calculating colliding forces among the plurality of mobile devices and virtual environment created in the online game; providing a forum to enable a battle among the plurality of mobile devices and the virtual environment which are calculated as being in the colliding forces and sampling metadata including water, highway, road, grass, forest, business area and residential area to generate the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Hyung Gyu Oh
  • Patent number: 9390581
    Abstract: An information generation device includes an adjustment section that adjusts a selection probability of a game medium that is provided to a second player based on a game status of a first player, the game medium being displayed in a game, and an information generation section that generates indication information corresponding to the selection probability adjusted by the adjustment section, the indication information indicating the selection probability of the game medium in a lottery event to the second player, the lottery event being an event for providing the game medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nashida
  • Patent number: 9378614
    Abstract: Communication networks are established involving gaming machines, preferably slot machines. Each gaming machine has a card reader for obtaining player identity-related information using player identification cards and also has a number of communication related devices including a video screen. In forming a network, identity-related information from two or more player identification cards are accessed using the card reader of one of the machines. A menu and a number of screens are displayable using the machine's video screen to facilitate the establishment of communication networks, as well as control elements being displayed for use in controlling communications using the communication-related devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Masque Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Wisler, Anthony G. Andersen
  • Patent number: 9372624
    Abstract: A virtual object can be controlled using one or more touch interfaces. A location for a first touch input can be determined on a first touch interface. A location for a second touch input can be determined on a second touch interface. A three-dimensional segment can be generated using the location of the first touch input, the location of the second touch input, and a pre-determined spatial relationship between the first touch interface and the second touch interface. The virtual object can be manipulated using the three-dimensional segment as a control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Ruxin Chen
  • Patent number: 9373221
    Abstract: A method pays out credit via a system having a server and a number of game machines connected to the server and operated by a player. A game machine has a game unit and a payout unit that can be activated by a player for paying out a credit via a confirmation ticket or a data storage medium. When a credit is present, the game unit allows a game to be played, and when a credit is present and the payout unit is activated, a data set is transmitted to the server, the data set contains the amount of the credit. The data set is stored upon being deposited in the server, and a release data set is transmitted back to the game machine if the data set is stored. A confirmation ticket is provided when the release data set is deposited at the respective game machine, and the confirmation ticket is dispensed to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Novomatic AG
    Inventor: Florian Schroetter
  • Patent number: 9370704
    Abstract: A system for capturing and analyzing a trajectory of a tennis ball or other object associated with a play of a game of tennis and providing feedback is described. The system may be designed to capture and analyze a trajectory of a tennis ball during various activities related to the play of a game of tennis. The system may be configured to provide immediate feedback that may be utilized by a player to improve their performance as well as provide entertainment value above and beyond what is normally associated with the play of a game of tennis. Further, the system may be operable for use in an area where tennis is normally played during normal playing activities, such as player playing a game or practicing on an outdoor tennis court. The system may be operable to account for factors associated with its ambient environment, such as wind, temperature and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PIllar Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan W Marty
  • Patent number: 9364763
    Abstract: Technology is described for user assembly of lightweight user interfaces for games, e.g., massively multiplayer online games. The technology can include a set of pre-selectable action modules; an interface element, a messaging element, and a display element for each pre-selectable action module; and a component configured to enable a user to select a subset from the set of pre-selectable action modules. A first subset of the pre-selectable action modules can provide a different user interface than a second subset of the pre-selectable action modules when at least one pre-selectable action module is in the first subset but not the second subset. Action modules may be capable of communicating using a messaging platform with at least one server computing device and relates to a massively multiplayer online gaming system operating at a server computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9361067
    Abstract: In certain implementations, a software development kit to enable configuration of virtual counterparts of action figures or action figure accessories may be provided. As an example, the software development kit may enable a developer to associate a state or behavior of an action figure type with a virtual state or behavior of a corresponding virtual counterpart type in a virtual environment such that, when an action figure (of that type) exhibits the state or behavior, a corresponding virtual counterpart is caused to exhibit the virtual state or behavior in the virtual environment. The software development kit may, for example, enable the same state or behavior to be associated with different action figure types and/or different virtual states or behaviors such that, even when action figures of different action figure types exhibit the same state or behavior, their corresponding virtual counterparts may be caused to exhibit different virtual states or behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9348487
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for generating a cognitive avatar, and according to one or more of the above embodiments of the present invention, the process of allowing the user to select images, which are recognized as similar, from face images of various impressions which are classified as a plurality of impression groups and are stored, is repeatedly performed, and an avatar, which corresponds to the target face which the user intends to generate as the avatar, by a cognitive approach based on the repeatedly performed user's selection, so that a natural avatar, which is similar to the target face, may be expressed without a separate analysis or re-analysis process for the target face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ig Jae Kim, A Rim Lee
  • Patent number: 9339723
    Abstract: A card game monitor manages play of a game with a video feed of casino table game play. A dealer deals a game using a card-handling device that randomizes and dispenses cards, which may be grouped into sets of hands by the card-handling device. A card recognition system recognizes card information including rank and suit of each card dispensed by the card handling device. A camera captures a video feed of casino table game play, which is transmitted to a mobile computing device operated by a player. A control system receives the card information from the card recognition device and manages control of the game using hand information associated with players. Player action elections from the mobile computing device are displayed to a dealer. The player provides a player action through the mobile computing device, which is used to facilitate play of the casino table game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Mark L. Yoseloff, Todd Haushalter
  • Patent number: 9311774
    Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Reid M. Weber, Erik B. Petersen, Adrian R. Marcu, William C. Little, Steven G. LeMay
  • Patent number: 9305206
    Abstract: A system for enhancing a depth map associated with a 2D image wherein a face detector analyzes the 2D image to determine a position of a face in the 2D image, the system utilizes the position to derive a depth model; and the depth model is combined with the depth map to generate an enhanced depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dynamic Digital Depth Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Steven Robert Pegg, Hugh Ross Sanderson, Julien Charles Flack
  • Patent number: 9293008
    Abstract: A wagering game machine configured to present a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered receives a layout description for a first set of image components defines one or more placeholder areas. A first executable component renders a portion of the first set of image components in accordance with the layout description. A natively executed wagering game application renders a second set of image components defined independently from the layout description within the placeholder areas. The first executable component renders a second portion of the first set of images over the images rendered by the natively executed wagering game application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Patrick Childers, Dedrick W. Duckett, Edward Q. Earley
  • Patent number: 9275513
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to communication methods in gaming networks using portable devices. In some networks portable devices communicate information about the status of particular gaming machines on the gaming network. In other networks portable devices are used as a secondary display for the gaming device. In yet other networks bonus games may be played on the portable devices. Further embodiments include a portable device that operates to match a current state of a game to a pre-defined state or states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 9266021
    Abstract: Embodiments of a token configured to interact are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John A. Devos, Michael Blythe, Ken Anthony, Quinn Jemmott
  • Patent number: 9266027
    Abstract: In certain implementations, user performance related to a virtual environment may be utilized to provide a targeted presentation of action —figures, action figure accessories, or other items (e.g., services, products, etc.) available for purchase in an online marketplace. As an example, performance indicator information related to performance of a user of the virtual environment may be obtained. One or more of the action figures or action figure accessories may be selected based on the performance indicator information. The selected action figures or action figure accessories may be presented to the user in the online marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9259651
    Abstract: In certain implementations, relevant notifications may be provided via an action figure. As an example, a device may be detected within a short wireless communication range of the action figure. A wireless connection between the action figure and the device may be established based on the detection. A notification may be received at the action figure from the device via the established wireless connection. The notification may comprise information related to the action figure, a virtual counterpart of the action figure in a virtual environment, the virtual environment, a user account associated with an owner of the action figure, or other information. The notification may be processed to obtain the information. A user interaction with the action figure may be detected. A presentation of the information may be provided based on the detection of the user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9257005
    Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, upon a triggering mechanism associated with an event, an input/output (I/O) mechanism is overlaid on the gaming device using a system device in communication with the gaming device. Through use of the I/O mechanism, input is received from the player and output is returned to the player. The I/O mechanism overlaying the gaming device is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 9257006
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving first application data from a first application, where the first application data describes a first characteristic of first content from the first application. The first application presents the first content during a wagering game session. The operations can further include determining a relationship between the first characteristic and a second characteristic of second content of a second application that presents the second content during the wagering game session while the first application presents the first content. The operations can further include modifying the second content dynamically based on the relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Siva Kumar Krishnan, Larry J. Pacey, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9235955
    Abstract: An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming device, the gaming device including a gaming presentation of a base game and a gaming processor for controlling the base game. The embedded user interface includes: a player tracking interface and an embedded processor. The player tracking interface includes (or is associated with) a display screen and enables display of a system game to a user, presentation of information to the user, and reception of information from the user. The embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, enables control of the system game, control of player tracking information, and control of non-gaming information. In one embodiment, the embedded user interface enables control of a system game of which at least a portion of the system game is presented physically external to the embedded user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Lawrence McAllister, Marvin A. Hein, Warren R. White, Robert A. Luciano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9233289
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for training players and sportsmen. The technical result is an increase in the effectiveness of training. The method for training players and sportsmen with a piece of sports equipment on a pitch includes carrying out the training on a pitch that is provided with controllable dynamic lighting. The dynamic lighting is used to establish permitted zones in which the sportsman must be found, holding the piece of sports equipment. Further, the position, shape and area of the permitted zones are altered at random for the sportsman. The development of the sportsman's skill and the effectiveness of training are judged according to the sportsman's ability to stay in the permitted zones, holding the piece of sports equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Vladimir Evgenievich Afonshin
  • Patent number: 9218712
    Abstract: A game system is provided that is capable of imparting a novel game sensation to the user by operating together with a means that selects at least one option from among several options. In a game system, with which a lottery game in which at least one option is selected from a plurality of options, and a chain game in which the progression of the game changes on the basis of the game result of the first game are executed, in the chain game, region data is generated for arranging, in a plurality of game progression regions, a plurality of selectable regions that are linked to the plurality of options; and the region data is updated so as to set certain game progression regions as being acquired regions, on the basis of the options selected in the lottery game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Ito, Masanori Yoshioka, Junichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9214071
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a wager-input device for receiving a first wager from a player to play a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game. A display displays a plurality of symbols located thereon during the basic game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes includes a bonus-triggering outcome. A set of available game-enhancement parameters is displayed and the player is provided an option of submitting a second wager to purchase at least one of the set of available game-enhancement parameters. The set of available game-enhancement parameters provides an enhancement selected from the group consisting of: additional bonus-triggering outcomes providing a higher probability of triggering the bonus game, and enhanced awards during the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Dion K. Aoki, Joel R. Jaffe, James J. Poole, Allon G. Englman
  • Patent number: 9205336
    Abstract: In certain implementations, secured communication with an action figure or action figure accessory may be provided. As an example, a device may be detected within a short wireless communication range of the action figure or action figure accessory. A wireless connection may be established between the action figure or action figure accessory and the device based on the detection. A first key may be obtained. First encrypted information may be received from the device via the wireless connection, and processed based on the first key to determine a second key. An identifier associated with the action figure or action figure accessory may be obtained. Second encrypted information may be generated based on the second key and the identifier, and provided to the device via the wireless connection. The second encrypted information may be used to obtain a virtual counterpart of the action figure or action figure accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Jumo, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Yano
  • Patent number: 9199168
    Abstract: A game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus performs a game control process based on first operation data representing a first player's operation on the operating device and second operation data representing a second player's operation on the hand-held device. The game apparatus generates a first game image for the first player, which is an image of a virtual game space and represents a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera set in the game space. The game apparatus also generates a second game image for the second player, which is an image of the game space, based on a second virtual camera set in the game space. The first game image is displayed on a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is displayed on a second display device of the hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Ito, Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9189916
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Dixon
  • Patent number: 9182876
    Abstract: A method of rearranging a display of at least one icon on a touch screen of a portable electronic device is provided. The method detects if the device has entered a tilted state, and automatically rearranges the display of the at least one icon according to the tilted state. In some implementations, icons are rearranged to be displayed in a lopsided manner when entering the tilted state, thereby facilitating user touch selection of the icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-Gyu Kim, Dae-Hyun Ji, Joon-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9152301
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus at least partially displays a first object group on a first display portion, selects at least one first object from the first object group in response to an operation of a direction operation portion, changes a selected position in an order of alignment in a second object group in response to an operation of a first or second operation portion, displays at least one object included in the second object group and corresponding to the selected position on a second display portion, adds a new object corresponding to the selected first object at a position corresponding to the selected position in the second object group in response to an operation of a third operation portion, and displays at least one object included in the second object group on the second display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Akifusa, Masahiro Nitta, Masahiko Nagaya, Asako Kagita, Yasuhito Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 9147313
    Abstract: A gaming system samples information from a mobile device that is connected to a gaming network for use by at least one electronic gaming machine (EGM) included in the gaming network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Dennis T. Kleppen, David M. Oles
  • Patent number: 9101836
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of presenting pre-show content to movie theater audiences at a plurality of locations includes receiving at least one request from an exhibitor of feature content, each request identifying a feature presentation, a feature presentation start time, and information defining the time reserved for seating the audience prior to the feature presentation. At least one multiplayer game for each pre-show session is selected and projected to the theater screen before the feature presentation. Multiple roles are defined for each game, including active competitor roles, administrator roles, and spectator roles. Participation requires operation of a mobile terminal to which a client application has been installed. Eligibility is based on one or more quantitative criteria such as the availability of roles for assignment and one or more qualitative criteria such as qualifying purchases made using a mobile client, social messaging activity, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KINO LLC
    Inventors: John T. Brenden, Dmitry Kozko