Visual (e.g., Enhanced Graphics, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/31)
  • Patent number: 10146100
    Abstract: Example systems and methods to transform events and/or mood associated with playing media into lighting effects are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a content identifier to identify content presented via a media presentation device based on a fingerprint associated with the content and derive metadata from the identified content. The example apparatus includes a content driven analyzer to determine a light effect to be produced by a light-generating device based on the metadata, generate an instruction for the light-generating device to produce the light effect, and transmit the instruction to the light-generating device during presentation of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Gracenote, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Kurt Cremer, Shashank Merchant, Aneesh Vartakavi
  • Patent number: 10140804
    Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating attract sequences on gaming machines based on a determined presence of a player through a camera are described. The gaming machine includes a cabinet. The gaming machine further includes a display coupled to the cabinet. The gaming machine includes a user input coupled to the cabinet. The gaming machine includes a video camera coupled to the cabinet, the video camera configured to output video data, wherein the video camera is positioned to capture video data of players walking by the gaming machine. The gaming machine includes a master gaming controller. The master gaming controller is configured to receive the video data from the video camera, determine the presence of a player in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and initiate an attract feature based on the determined presence of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Brandon H. Traphagen
  • Patent number: 10126894
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a position detection device including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a processor. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes, and the second electrode layer includes a plurality of second electrodes. A gap is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The processor detects a plurality of capacitive values between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes so as to measure the movement track of a conductive object passing through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: EGALAX_EMPIA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Shang-Tai Yeh
  • Patent number: 10105608
    Abstract: A system that collects, analyzes, and applies physical metrics from participants in game environments. Participants (players and/or spectators) in a game may wear or hold devices that collect physical data from the participants via sensors, generate metrics data from the sensor data, and provide the metrics data to a participant metrics module. The module may receive the metrics data from the devices, analyze the metrics data to generate game inputs based on the participants' physical metrics, and provide the game inputs to the game system to affect game play. The module may also receive alerts or other information from the game system or from players, determine feedback for participants according to the received information, and signal the devices to provide feedback or alerts to the participants in the game. The devices may include indicators that are activated by the signals to provide visual, audio, and/or haptic indications to respective participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Martin George, Michael Anthony Frazzini
  • Patent number: 10092847
    Abstract: A player character is placed so as to be linked to a given edge position of a board. A plurality of puzzle pieces including an enemy character piece that represents an enemy character are placed on the board. The player inputs a selection path from the puzzle piece situated at the given edge position or the player character without removing the finger from the board so as to select and delete puzzle pieces among the plurality of puzzle pieces that are placed on the board and belong to an identical type, or are considered to belong to an identical type. When the enemy character piece lies in the selection path, the player character that corresponds to the puzzle piece set to be the start point, or the player character set to be the start point, attacks the enemy character represented by the enemy character piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Maejima, Masaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10096166
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively displaying an operational area comprising an internal and an external environment separated from another by at least one physical obstruction, the apparatus comprising a headset including a screen for placing over a user's eyes, the system further comprising a processor configured to generate a three-dimensional virtual environment, and an image capture device for capturing images of the internal environment, said processor being configured to blend image data representative thereof into said three dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment including a representation of said at least one physical obstruction, the processor configured to receive image data representative of said external environment and to remove at least a portion of said physical obstruction from said mixed reality environment displayed on said screen, and blend said image data of said external environment into said mixed reality environment wherein said physical obstruction appears to be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Julian David Wright, Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo, Christopher James Whiteford
  • Patent number: 10092831
    Abstract: A game system includes a game device at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit, an input unit and a send unit; a display device, integrally formed with the game device or separately formed from the game device, at least including an input unit connected to the game device and a display unit; and a data processing apparatus at least including a control unit, a storage unit, an output unit and a receive unit, wherein the control unit of the game device causes a game to progress by executing a game program, and controls the send unit to send a signal to the data processing apparatus when a predetermined condition is satisfied in accordance with a progression status of the game, and wherein in the data processing apparatus, when the receive unit receives the signal, the control unit performs a predetermined process based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiko Erikawa
  • Patent number: 10086284
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for modifying a limit value determining the number of moves available to a player in a level of a computer implemented game and maintaining this setting for subsequent play of the level. The method comprises using a counter to change a move count in response to a user input defining a move in the game, wherein no additional moves can be made if the number of moves made reaches a first limit value; responsive to further user input, providing a first set of further moves; and storing information associated with said first set of further moves such that when said game is played again, a number of possible moves comprises the first limit value of moves and said first set of further moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Vince Darley
  • Patent number: 10089772
    Abstract: Context-aware digital play includes accessing a virtual scene, the virtual scene comprising digital content; determining that the digital content of the virtual scene comprises a representation of at least one of a plurality of characters, each of the characters being associated with rules; accessing an indication of one or more context-based stimuli, the context-based stimuli being based on the virtual scene; determining whether one or more rules associated with the character and the one or more context-based stimuli associated with the accessed indications exist; and if one or more rules are determined to exist, applying the context-based stimuli to the virtual scene by updating digital content of the virtual scene based on the one or more rules and modifying the representation of the character based on the one or more rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Parry Taylor, William George Gajda, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10080964
    Abstract: A program capable of giving an element of surprise to a game to increase the fun and interest, and achieving effects of raising player's interest in the game and motivation to continue the game, is disclosed herein. The program sets a “personality” such as a preference and a characteristic parameter of a character card (first game content), and sets a “level” of the preference to an item A1 or the like (second game content). Then, the program synthesizes the item A1 or the like selected by the player with a character card C1, performs a calculation for changing the characteristic parameter of the character card based on the “level,” and exhibits a predetermined effect on the character card C1 based on the calculation result of the characteristic parameter of the character card (e.g., when it is greater than or equal to Smax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GREE, INC.
    Inventor: Chika Yokoo
  • Patent number: 10068615
    Abstract: A capture execution/non-execution control device includes a display controller that carries out control to cause an image generated through execution of a program to be displayed on a display unit, and a capture level value acquirer that acquires a capture level value indicating the degree of permission or prohibition of capture of an image displayed on the display unit. The capture execution/non-execution control device further includes a reference value acquirer that acquires a reference value serving as a criterion as to whether or not capture of an image is permitted, and a capture execution/non-execution controller that controls whether or not to execute capture of the image displayed on the display unit according to a result of comparison between the capture level value acquired and the reference value acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10058775
    Abstract: In one or more implementations, a system and method are provide that include an interactive gaming environment for providing a scene having a size and scale and in coordination with a figurine. Position sensors are arranged relative to the gaming environment, and circuitry that is configured to interrogate passive sensors are provided with the figurine. A processor that is configured to process information from the sensors computes at least a position and orientation of the figurine. A rendering module renders a virtual representation of the gaming environment, in accordance with the processed information from the sensors. The passive sensors can be provided inside the figurine. The passive sensors can include radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Edo Segal
  • Patent number: 10055933
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for mounting an overhead display device to gaming machines. The system and apparatus featuring mounting elements securable to a display device at a selected distance and mounting hardpoints on one or a plurality of gaming machines. The hardpoints having a recess with a size and shape corresponding to that of the mounting elements. Wherein the display is securable to gaming machines in an overhead configuration when the mounting elements are secured to hardpoints and where the distance between the mounting elements corresponds to the distance between the hardpoints to which they are respectively secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schrementi, Matthew Randazzo
  • Patent number: 10055934
    Abstract: A touch screen player interface includes a fiber optic plate, high-resolution infrared camera and projector. The fiber optic plate acts as a display surface for the output of the projector as well as a fingerprint and/or item scanner. Individual fiber optic plates acting as individual player interfaces or a single fiber optic plate configured to support multiple player interfaces are conceivable. The touchscreen provides an interactive gaming system capable of identifying and authenticating players during common touch interactions. The touch screen interface may be integrated into virtual gaming systems such as virtual roulette, poker and craps systems. Live, human-managed gaming tables may also incorporate the touch screen player interface described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NOVOMATIC AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kugler, Andreas Loydold
  • Patent number: 10055938
    Abstract: A bonus and/or promotion system, such as for a casino or other retail location, includes one or more sensors for detecting the presence of one or more persons at a location and a bonus or promotion generator configured to generate and output bonuses or promotions based upon detected levels of persons in an area. The bonus or promotion generator may provide an output to existing audio and/or visual display devices of the location for announcing bonuses or promotions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Certus Technologies
    Inventor: Rick Rowe
  • Patent number: 10046241
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with output production are described. One example system comprises an analysis component configured to analyze a data set to produce an evaluation result. The system also comprises a production component configured to produce a rendered output based, at least in part, on the evaluation result, where the rendered output is stored in a computer-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald Charles Krosky, Brendan Edward Clark
  • Patent number: 10051099
    Abstract: A method for switching working mode of a headphone, and a headphone are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, via a sound channel of the headphone, a signal sent by a smart terminal; processing the signal; and when a command indicative of switching the working mode of the headphone is obtained after the signal is processed, controlling, according to the command, a switch module of a microphone channel to switch the working mode such that the headphone is switchable between a call mode and an application data transmission mode. According to the present application, the working mode of the headphone may be automatically switched, and thus user experience may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Saiwen Lu, Hexing Liu, Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10048928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing console which comprises an input unit configured to receive at least one audio signal channel; a first display configured to display audio signal channel related information; a plurality of control elements configured to control at least one signal characteristic of the at least one audio signal channel, wherein the first display and the plurality of control elements are located on a first surface area of the mixing console. The mixing console furthermore comprises at least one connecting element provided on the first surface area; a touch-sensitive display comprising at least one support element which interacts with the at least one connecting element to removably connect the touch-sensitive display to the first surface area, wherein the at least one connecting element is located on the first surface area in such a way that the touch-sensitive display covers a part of the first surface area when it is connected to the first surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Studer Professional Audio GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Heiniger, Robert Huber
  • Patent number: 10039975
    Abstract: An immersive play environment providing techniques for generating an imaginary enemy within the environment is disclosed. A tracker device is provided in the play environment for determining a location of a user. A controller device is provided to generate an invisible interactive object (an “imaginary enemy”), to engage the user during gameplay. The controller device generates tracking information indicating a location of the imaginary enemy. The controller device determines the location of the enemy relative to the location of the user and transmits that information to the tracker device. The tracker device can communicate the location of the imaginary enemy to the user for engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Olson, Blade Olson, Michael P. Goslin, Charles Moneypenny, Ivone Alexandre
  • Patent number: 10039982
    Abstract: A volumetric dynamic virtual camera system employs a radial basis function (RBF) component that can utilize non-uniform training datasets that are blended to provide interpolated camera parameters during application runtime based on a player's position within virtual volumes in a 3D space. During application development, an artist or developer can interactively author cameras that are finely tuned to appear just right and which provide the training data for runtime. The RBF component blends the training data during runtime as the player's position within the volume changes to produce camera parameters that the camera system uses to capture scenes for rendering on a display device. The result is an overall camera system that lets authors very quickly develop film-quality cameras that appear and behave more like fully dynamic cameras having significant intelligence. The cameras are volumetric because they can exist in all the virtual spaces exposed by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald Edsall
  • Patent number: 10043313
    Abstract: To appropriately superimpose and display a virtual object on an image of a real space, an information processing apparatus according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention determines the display position of the virtual object based on information indicating an allowable degree of superimposition of a virtual object on each real object in the image of the real space, and a distance from a real object for which a virtual object is to be displayed in association with the real object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Honjo, Masakazu Matsugu, Yasuhiro Komori, Yoshinori Ito, Hideo Noro, Akira Ohno
  • Patent number: 10032314
    Abstract: A virtual reality headset system having a region configured to change its opacity is disclosed. The virtual reality headset system is configured to provide an immersive experience, but also to allow a user to see at least some portion of the outside world, at least some of the time. The headset has a casing that partially surrounds a display. The casing has an opening configured to receive the user's face. The casing has a region between the display and the user's face configured to change a degree of opacity. The region may be a window located in a non-front facing or lateral side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Murillo, Roger Ibars Martinez, Jean-Louis Villecroze, Nema Rao
  • Patent number: 10032329
    Abstract: Forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof are described herein. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage for generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system. In one mode of operation, one or more mandated parameters are externally imposed, and variable parameters are selected such that the mandated parameters are met globally, and such that the user experience is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 10022631
    Abstract: An avatar or avatar environment to visualize data may be provided within a social networking system or service, for example as part of the Internet, and/or within a desktop widget, panel, gadget, or the like. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input such as athletic activity performed by a corresponding user. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Nims, Roberto Tagliabue, Danielle Quatrochi
  • Patent number: 10004993
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and media for controlling a network game in accordance with an input of at least one game spectator are provided. A network interface receives controller input information from at least one game player and game spectator input information based on the input of the game spectator. The network game is progressed in accordance with the controller input information received by the network interface from the game player, and an aspect of the network game is controlled in accordance with the game spectator input information received by the network interface. The game player executes a game client that establishes a connection with the game system for transmitting the controller input information to the network interface. The game spectator does not execute the game client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Navok, Yoichi Wada
  • Patent number: 9993731
    Abstract: A computer performs a process for displaying an object string and a player object within a game screen, the object string including a main object, and at least one sub-object that is connected to the main object, the player object being an object that can be operated by a player, and virtual walls that limit a moving direction of each of the main object, the sub-object and the player object being provided within the game screen. The motion of the player object within the game screen is controlled in response to an operation performed by the player. The motion mode of the object string is switched from a first mode to a second mode or a third mode based on a given condition, the second mode being a mode in which the object string is inferior as compared with the first mode, and the third mode being a mode in which the main object is superior as compared with the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9978215
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to gaming devices and to techniques for operating such devices in connection with secondary gameplay features of computer-based games. The secondary gameplay may share gameplay features with primary gameplay. In some group-matching games, each game piece includes two characteristics that may affect a display of the game piece in a computer user interface. One characteristic may be used during primary gameplay and another may be used to track when a user has an opportunity for secondary gameplay. For example, a gameplay facility may determine whether the grid includes a set of game pieces having a first characteristic. If so, the gameplay facility may then evaluate each of the game pieces in the set and increment a score based on whether each game piece has a second characteristic. When the score meets or exceeds a threshold, the gameplay facility triggers secondary gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: IGT UK INTERACTIVE LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin Frostick
  • Patent number: 9968857
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and media for controlling a network game in accordance with an input of a game spectator are provided. A network interface receives player input information from a game player and spectator input information from the game spectator. The network game is progressed in accordance with the player input information received by the network interface from the game player, and an aspect of the network game of the game player is controlled in accordance with the spectator input information received by the network interface. The spectator input information specifies the game player and the aspect of the network game of the game player to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Navok, Yoichi Wada
  • Patent number: 9968849
    Abstract: Targeted recommendations may be provided to specific user segments. The users may be segmented on or more user parameters that facilitate targeted provision of recommendations to the individual segments of users. A recommendation may prompt a user to take a recommended action in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Tian Lan, Bing Liu, Sainath Shenoy, Kenneth Yu, Liang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9972167
    Abstract: On a network of electronic gaming machines, data regarding the performance of the machines or the players of the machines is collected and processed to make predictions of future jackpots and recommendations of games to play. The predictions and recommendations are delivered via at least one virtual persona that communicates with players or potential players via displays in a casino or on a web browser, via smartphone. Players can conduct conversations with the persona using cellular telephone, text messaging, or other types of Internet communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 9968856
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide interactive overlays with video game streams can include a composing and broadcast system receiving a plurality of video game streams associated with a respective plurality of viewpoints of an online game from a game engine. The composing and broadcast system can select a video game stream of the plurality of video game streams, and transmit the selected video game stream to a live streaming system for streaming to a plurality of spectator client devices. The composing and broadcast system can stream game data indicative of positions of a graphical object in the selected video game steam receive to a plurality of spectator client devices. A client device receiving the selected video game stream and the game data can display an interactive overlay over displayed video frames. The interactive display can be temporally and spatially synchronized with a graphical object in the displayed video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Genvid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabien Ninoles, Jocelyn Houle
  • Patent number: 9959676
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems, and computer readable storage media for presenting a meeting between remote participants. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, during a conference session, compiling view information used to determine a first view seen by the first participant. The method further provides receiving conference video comprising at least video captured of a second participant remote to the physical location of the first participant. Also, the method provides presenting the video captured of the second participant such that the second participant appears at a first position of a meeting location in the first view to the first participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Tamar Barzuza, Yair Wiener, Ori Modai
  • Patent number: 9950252
    Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing reciprocation of game asset gifts from a player is provided. A notification of a game asset of a first player that is available to a plurality of players is sent from a game server to the plurality of players. The notification is sent through a web feed in a game user interface of each player of the plurality of players. A first response requesting the game asset of the first player is received from a second web feed in a second game user interface of a second player in response to the notification. The game asset is provided to a second account of the second player in response to the first response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hall, Dylan Sproule, Ben Hall, Timothy J. O. Catlin, Jason Paul Allen, Clayton Rhodes Stark
  • Patent number: 9955010
    Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for real time adjustment for better caller experience are provided. The method comprises obtaining caller experience of a call flow, notifying a service provider of the caller experience, receiving at least one corrective action from the service provider, and implementing the at least one corrective action for better caller experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: James Elwood Milroy, Bruce Pollock
  • Patent number: 9947172
    Abstract: A game machine includes a display device that displays a game screen in which virtual reels formed by symbols are arranged so as to correspond one-to-one to cells as symbol stop positions. And, a game machine determines the symbol to stop in each cell through drawing, and controls a movement to change the symbol and a stop of the movement for each virtual reel based on a drawing result. Furthermore, a game machine determines a number of specific symbols that stop in the cells, and controls a movement of each virtual reel, which causes the specific symbols to appear in the cells, as one virtual reel group and a stop of the movement in units of virtual reel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Hidetomo Yamashita, Hayato Mizue, Hiromitsu Negishi
  • Patent number: 9940795
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising a spheroid object, a surface of which is provided with a plurality of symbols, gaming means for causing the spheroid object to rotate along at least three separate axes of rotation, display means for displaying symbols provided on a part of the surface of the spheroid object as rotated by the gaming means in a display area of the gaming system, and win determination means for evaluating a winning condition from those symbols of that are visible in the display area along at least one win line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GAMING SUPPORT B.V.
    Inventor: Lucien M. Van Linden
  • Patent number: 9931565
    Abstract: A device for online gaming includes a gaming accessory provisioned with a configuration that includes a group of settings of operating parameters for the gaming accessory. The group of settings corresponds to selections from first equipment of a user via an accessory management application. Upon initiation of a gaming session, the gaming accessory is in communication with second equipment of the user. The gaming accessory is not in communication with the first equipment of the user and is not in communication with the second equipment of the user prior to the initiation of the gaming session. The accessory management application can be a client application of a server remote from the first equipment of the user and the second equipment of the user. The group of settings can be received from the first equipment of the user via a graphical user interface presented by the accessory management application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Andrew Olcott
  • Patent number: 9925464
    Abstract: An attitude of an object arranged in a virtual world is controlled based on attitude data outputted from a portable display device. Further, the object is caused to move in the virtual world, based on data based on a load applied to a load detection device. Then, a first image showing the virtual world including at least the object is displayed on the portable display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yugo Hayashi, Kazuya Sumaki
  • Patent number: 9922354
    Abstract: The present technology provides a purchasing interface within an application that allows users to purchase a product from another source without leaving the application. The application offers a product for purchase, and a user, desiring to purchase the product can provide an input effective to cause a purchasing interface to be displayed. While the purchasing interface, or information presented therein, comes from the product source, which is different than the application source, it is presented in such a fashion that gives the impression to the user that they are purchasing the product directly from the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James Alexander Howard, William Bedford Turner, Christopher Blumenberg, Richard Williamson
  • Patent number: 9919222
    Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing leaderboards based upon in-game events within a game space. The leaderboards based on user progress to achieving one or more administrator defined objectives within the game space, where each objective requires the completion of one or more activities. An objective metric for the first user, indicating the first user's progress toward achieving the objective may be determined, based upon one or more activity metric values for the first user. The activity metric values providing an indication of the first user's progress toward completing activities required to be completed to achieve the objective, as defined by an administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9916687
    Abstract: An example computer includes: an image acquiring unit that acquires an image of a real space captured by an imaging device; a feature detecting unit that detects a feature from the image; a determining unit that determines a virtual object, or, a virtual object and an aspect of the virtual object while changing the same in accordance with a recognition condition of the detected feature; an image generating unit that generates an image of a virtual space in which the determined virtual object or the virtual object in the determined aspect is placed on a basis of the feature; and a display controlling unit that displays an image on a display device such that the image of the virtual space is visually recognized by a user while being superimposed on the real space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hayakawa, Naoki Koga
  • Patent number: 9910059
    Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing motion of a subject. The method includes receiving multiple events from an event-based sensor, the events corresponding to a luminance change of the subject; calculating velocities of the events and directions of the events; generating a motion analysis table comprising an X axis classified into multiple velocity sections, a Y axis classified into multiple direction sections, and multiple cells representing frequencies of events corresponding to combinations of the velocity sections and the direction sections; and determining a motion of the subject based on the motion analysis table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Hyuk Bae, Kyu-Min Kyung, Tae-Chan Kim, Seong-Yeong Jeong, Shung-Han Cho
  • Patent number: 9911232
    Abstract: An “Anchored Environment Generator” generates a physically constrained virtual environment that is molded and anchored to a real-world environment around a user (or multiple users). This molding and anchoring of the physically constrained virtual environment ensures that at least a portion of the physically constrained virtual environment matches tactile truth for one or more surfaces and objects within the real-world environment. Real objects and surfaces in the real-world environment may appear as different virtual objects, and may have different functionality, in the physically constrained virtual environment. Consequently, users may move around within the physically constrained virtual environment while touching and interacting with virtual objects in the physically constrained virtual environment. In some implementations, the physically constrained virtual environment is constructed from virtual building blocks that are consistent with a theme-based specification (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Lior Shapira, Daniel Freedman
  • Patent number: 9898892
    Abstract: Users may participate in instances of a virtual space through computing platforms associated with the users. User participation may include controlling game entities within the instances of the virtual spaces. Individual game entities may be defined by attribute values of one or more game entity attributes. One or more attribute values may be modified from their currently defined values based on detection of physical tokens communicatively coupled to token readers. By way of non-limiting example, tokens may store attribute modification information that may specify discrete amounts by which one or more attribute values may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Peterson, Sandeep Kharkar
  • Patent number: 9886848
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit; a camera; a display; an ultrasound transmission unit; and a controller configured to control the wireless communication unit, the camera, the display, and the ultrasound transmission unit. The mobile terminal is configured to: transmit a first detection prepare request signal to allow a plurality of external devices located within a control area to switch to a prepare state; acquire an image including at least one of the plurality of external devices that switches to the prepare state; selectively transmit an ultrasound signal to the at least one of the plurality of external devices included in the image; receive associated control information from each of the at least one of the plurality of external devices; and display a graphic image related to the associated control information from each of the at least one of the plurality of external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyechul Lee, Jihye Park, Sunghyuk Park
  • Patent number: 9875482
    Abstract: External notifications of events that take place within a virtual space may be provided to users. External notifications may be sent, for example, via email, text message, instant message (external from the virtual space), push notification and/or through other external communication media. These external notifications may be generated based on parameters, such as user parameters, event parameters, and/or other parameters. The parameters may include one or more parameters that are dynamic and/or one or more parameters that are static. The notifications may include incentive offers. The incentive offers may include offers of virtual items within the virtual space. The incentive offers may require a response to the notification for redemption. The incentive offers may enhance engagement with the virtual space by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Mello, Jonathan Calipes, Deepak Polamarasetty, Wendy Yu
  • Patent number: 9873047
    Abstract: A social game capable of informing a player of the attractiveness of a group fighting event is disclosed herein. A server device comprises: an information storage unit that stores information on the game; and a control unit that executes an arithmetic operation relating to the game and performs processing to display an image of the game at the terminal devices. The information storage unit stores, as a part of the information on the game, information on a fighting event, and the control unit performs processing to, in accordance with an instruction from a player, display the information on the fighting event at a terminal device operated by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoki Yasuhara
  • Patent number: 9867961
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide a therapeutic solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort of phantom limb syndrome are disclosed. The methods and systems of the present invention generally comprise capturing data from recording devices operably coupled to a processor and/or computing device, the recording devices configured to capture data associated with intact portions of a missing limb, one or more intact limbs and/or portions of the environment surrounding the missing limb, identifying the data captured, generating a three-dimensional virtual image of the missing limb and the surrounding environment from the data captured, and displaying the three-dimensional virtual image and the portions of the surrounding environment to the amputee such that the missing limb appears intact. The present invention advantageously provides a therapeutic and more immediate solution to alleviate the pain and discomfort from phantom limb syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventors: Gary Stephen Shuster, Brian Mark Shuster, Charles Marion Curry, Jr., Dana Beth Shuster
  • Patent number: 9861882
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed wherein real-world objects are transformed into AR terrain elements and AR events generate real-world impact. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and game pieces on a field of play. When viewed on the screen of a computing device executing the modules of the game system, the everyday objects are transformed into elements of an AR terrain while the game pieces can be augmented with various controls. Multiple viewing modes, for example, a third person view, a first person view or “POV” view from a selected game piece or a split screen view are contemplated for viewing the field of play. A subset of the augmented controls can be activated by the user to execute AR events some of which can have real-world impact. The AR events are executed based on game rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TRIGGER GLOBAL INC.
    Inventors: Jason Yim, Mikayel Saryan
  • Patent number: 9849375
    Abstract: A game program causes a computer to implement a player character movement control function of controlling a player character to move from its home position toward a target movement position which has been set and, when a predetermined condition is met after the player character has moved to the set target movement position, controlling the player character to move from the current position to a second area including the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SEGA Games
    Inventor: Jun Matsunaga