Image Projection Patents (Class 463/34)
  • Publication number: 20140248957
    Abstract: An example portable electronic device includes a display; user controls; a camera for capturing images; wireless communication circuitry for mobile communication; memory; and a processing system for controlling the portable electronic device. The processing system controls the portable electronic device to permit composing of an outgoing message and to permit viewing of an incoming message. An image captured by the camera and displayed on the display is stored in memory in response to an input to the user controls. The wireless communication circuitry, under control of the processing system, transmits the outgoing message and receives the incoming message. The processing system controls the display to concurrently display content of the received message and a linear arrangement of icons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Charles P. ECK, Hiroshi KAMADA, Claude COMAIR
  • Patent number: 8823641
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) imaging system configured to display an autostereoscopic image of a scene toward a viewing area, and detect gestures occurring in the viewing area. The system includes an imaging device configured to project a plurality of projected images in distinct directions, and each projected image is characterized as a distinct perspective view of the scene. The imaging device is also configured to detect a plurality of received images for the purpose of detecting gestures. The system also includes a holographic diffuser, and a mirror arrangement configured to reflect the plurality of projected images from the imaging device toward the holographic diffuser to display an autostereoscopic image of the scene in the holographic diffuser, and reflect a plurality of perspective images from the viewing area toward the imaging device such that each received image corresponds to a distinct perspective view of the viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick F. Kuhlman, Daniel Leong Woon Loong, Yew Kwang Low, Kok Wee Yeo
  • Patent number: 8821282
    Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The gaming machine also includes a projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Crowder, Jr., John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
  • Patent number: 8814682
    Abstract: An example game system has a terminal device and a plurality of controller devices. The game system moves a first object, which is arranged in a predetermined game space, in accordance with an operation performed on the terminal device; and moves a plurality of second objects in accordance with operations performed on the controller devices. A first virtual camera is set based on a position of the first object in the game space. A second virtual camera is set so that a plurality of the second objects are included in a visual field range. A first game image representing the game space as seen from the first virtual camera is displayed on a display unit of the terminal device. A second game image representing the game space as seen from the second virtual camera is displayed on a predetermined display device separate from the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamashita, Yuichiro Okamura, Takayuki Shimamura, Souichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8814678
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for gyro-controlled gaming viewpoint with auto-centering. A virtual camera is positioned at a first position while the virtual camera views a first object at a first direction. Once the system moves, the virtual camera moves to a second position based on a measurement by an angular velocity sensor. While the virtual camera moves to the second position, the viewing direction of the virtual camera simultaneously so as to keep the first object positioned in a same position of a viewing direction of the virtual camera. The apparatus and method allow the system to move a virtual camera based on a measurement of a gyroscope while keeping an object of importance in the center of the field-of-view of the virtual camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Robert Hansen, Shigeru Miyamoto, Yoshihito Ikebata, Ryuichi Nakada
  • Patent number: 8808089
    Abstract: The projection of an interactive game environment image on one or more surfaces. The interactive game environment image may be a three dimensional image, or may be two dimensional. Data is received that represents virtual objects that are spatially positioned in virtual space. An image is then projected on the substantially horizontal surface that includes a visual representation of all or a portion of the virtual space including one or more of the virtual objects. The system may then detect user interaction with the projected visualized representation of the virtual space, and in response thereto, change the projected visualized representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: MEP Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Davis, Timothy Alan Tabor, Roger H. Hoole, Jeffrey Taylor, John M. Black
  • Patent number: 8800991
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on the display means 41 and, if a winning combination results, the console 40 pays a prize. The console 40 is characterized in that the displayed images include a first image component 31 which displays basic game features and a second image component 50 which displays image features which appear superimposed on the first image component 31. The second image component 50 is transparent, whereby the first image component 31 is visible through the second image component 50 under the control of the control means 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Leisure Industries Party Ltd.
    Inventor: David Timperley
  • Patent number: 8795073
    Abstract: A first display section is caused to perform stereoscopic display, and a second display section is caused to perform non-stereoscopic display. A pointed position within an image displayed on the second display section is detected on the basis of an input of a player, it is determined that a second object within the image displayed on the second display section is operated, on the basis of a result of the detection, and a first object displayed on the first display section is changed on the basis of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Otani, Toshiharu Izuno, Hiroyuki Kubota, Akiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8795076
    Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Glen van Datta, Gary Zalewski
  • Patent number: 8784205
    Abstract: Reference time data acquisition means (74) acquires, from means (70) for storing a position of display means (22) and reference time data representing a reference time at which a user should carry out a game operation in association with each other, the reference time data associated with the position of the display means (22) detected by position detection means (72). Based on the reference time data, display control means (76) controls the display means (22) to display a guidance image (58) for guiding the user regarding the reference time. The game operation carried out by the user is detected. Game operation evaluation means (80) evaluates the game operation performed by the user, based on the reference time data and a detection result by game operation detection means (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Akiyama, Hiroto Yamaguchi, Kota Wakasa
  • Patent number: 8777741
    Abstract: An illumination device is capable of receiving a signal from a display control device for displaying an image on a display screen. The illumination device includes a reception portion and a lighting portion. The reception portion receives a control signal from the display control device. The lighting portion emits a plurality of rays of visible light each having an elongated cross section in accordance with the control signal received by the reception portion. For example, the rays of visible light are shed on a wall surface behind the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kondo, Takeshi Nagareda
  • Patent number: 8777749
    Abstract: A system for conducting gaming includes at least one gaming machine communicating with an award server. Optionally, the gaming machine communicates with the award server via a network server. In an optional embodiment, the gaming machine includes a bonus selection apparatus with a bonus award display. Bonus award indicia are transmitted from the award server to the bonus selection apparatus, optionally via the gaming machine, for display at the bonus display. A game is conducted at the gaming machine. A determination is made whether a bonus trigger has occurred. In an optional embodiment, the bonus trigger is random; in another optional embodiment, the bonus trigger is based on the outcome of the game. A displayed bonus award indicium is selected in response to a bonus trigger and the bonus award associated with the selected bonus award indicium is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Battle Born Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Mayeroff
  • Patent number: 8777719
    Abstract: A bonus device and method are set forth for gaming machines. The bonus device is configured as a two dimensional display or three dimensional object, such as a sphere, box, or football shape, which can be controlled to rotate, spin or move to display a bonus. The bonus device is embedded with display technology that allows the bonus amounts, to change upon certain conditions in the base game such as an increased number of credits wagered, combinations achieved in the base game, or other random occurrences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Battle Born Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason M. Mayeroff
  • Patent number: 8753214
    Abstract: A game device is provided. The game device includes a first execution section, a game screen updating section, and a game situation data acquiring section. In the case where a first execution time which comes every first time period is reached, the first execution section generates game situation data. In the case where a second execution time which comes every second time period is reached, the game screen updating section updates a game screen based on game situation data corresponding to an attention time which comes a time period before the second execution time. The game situation data acquiring section acquires the game situation data corresponding to the attention time by executing interpolation processing based on first game situation data corresponding to a time which comes before the attention time and second game situation data corresponding to a time which comes after the attention time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenta Ishida, Ryuma Hachisu
  • Patent number: 8753205
    Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a game program for generating a two-dimensional game image representing a state of a three-dimensional game space acquired by a virtual camera so as to display the two-dimensional game image by a display device, and the program is executed so as to calculate the number of pixels included in a linear distance to a target pixel representing a predetermined pixel on the two-dimensional game image, from a sight point pixel corresponding to a sight point of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional game space. Next, a movement rate of the virtual camera is set in accordance with the number of pixels having been calculated. The virtual camera is moved to a predetermined position in the three-dimensional game space in accordance with the movement rate having been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Kando
  • Patent number: 8749489
    Abstract: An object is to appropriately transmit operation data from a controller device to an information processing device. The controller device is capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device. The controller device includes a generating unit, a communication unit, and a display unit. The generating unit generates operation data based on an operation performed on the controller device. The communication unit receives one image's worth of image data from the information processing device with a first frequency, the image data generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, and transmits the operation data to the information processing device with a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The display unit displays an image based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Ito, Yasuyuki Shimohata, Jumpei Ueki
  • Patent number: 8740704
    Abstract: Provided is a game device which executes a game configured such that a position of a body part of a player is detected, including: a first determination unit for determining whether or not a reference position and a player position information acquired at a first determination time point, which is earlier than a reference time point, satisfy a first criterion; a second determination unit for determining whether or not the reference position and the player position information acquired at a second determination time point, which is later than the first determination time point, satisfy a second criterion; a first processing execution unit for performing processing relating to effects on the game based on a determination result from the first determination unit; and a second processing execution unit for performing processing relating to evaluation of the player based on a determination result from the second determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Tarama, Naohiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8734247
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided including a display unit configured to generate video images, an input unit, an ambient light sensor, and a controller coupled to the display unit, input unit, and ambient light sensor. The controller is configured to receive physical characteristics of a player via the input unit, determine an ambient light level of an environment of the gaming machine based on a signal generated by the ambient light sensor, determine a desired brightness level for video images based on the determined ambient light level, determine a desired contrast level for the video images based on the received physical characteristics or the determined ambient light level, generate display settings for the video images based on the determined brightness level and the determined contrast level, and display the graphics to the player via the display unit using the generated display settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Mark S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8727875
    Abstract: Position data is generated. The position data describes real-time positions of each of one or more billiard balls moving on a playing surface of a billiard table. Imagery is displayed on the playing surface. The imagery dynamically responds to the position data as the one or more billiard balls move on the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Obscura Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Niklas Lundback, Steve Mason, Michael Harville, Nikolai Cornell, Travis Threlkel
  • Patent number: 8721440
    Abstract: Systems and methods resize images for a wagering game. The images are resized by analyzing the content of the image, and removing or adding data from/to the image in accordance with the content analysis. The content analysis may include determining an energy level, where portions of the image having a low energy level are adjusted, and portions having a higher energy level are not adjusted, or adjusted less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, David Michael Pryor, John Lee Griffin
  • Patent number: 8715078
    Abstract: An advertising and golf training device is provided with a ball impact detector, image display, a database of advertising images, controller for selecting an image from the database for display and displaying the image upon display in response to signal from the ball impact detector, and confirmation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Keith D. White, Kevin N. White
  • Patent number: 8719731
    Abstract: A controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The controller identifies at least one trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The controller identifies at least one asset class from among asset classes specified with the trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The controller accesses at least one asset assigned to the at least one asset class in an asset class database. The controller renders the at least one asset within the virtual world environment in a virtual location within the virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A Hamilton, II, James R Kozloski, Brian M O'Connell, Clifford A Pickover, Keith R Walker
  • Patent number: 8715079
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a video device configured to output a video image. The apparatus comprises a curved beam splitter positioned in optical alignment with the video device, wherein a convex surface of the curved beam splitter is configured to receive the video image being output from the video device. The apparatus also includes a rotationally symmetrical mirror positioned in optical alignment with the curved beam splitter such that a part of the video image from the video device is directed to the rotationally symmetrical mirror, wherein the part of the video image reflected off the rotationally symmetrical mirror produces a curved aerial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8708824
    Abstract: A game system comprises image obtaining means, direction calculation means, first rotation means, and display control means. The image obtaining means obtains an image taken by an imaging device. The direction calculation means calculates a direction originally determined from the image of an imaging target included in the image taken by the imaging device. The first rotation means rotates an operation target in accordance with the calculated direction. The display control means generates an image in accordance with the rotation of the operation target performed by the first rotation means and displays the generated image on a screen of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Ohta, Kenta Sato
  • Patent number: 8702485
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for scoring a player performance comprising one or more poses in a dance-based video game. a performance 3D skeleton is received that indicates a pose of the player. A score is calculated by comparing a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of the performance 3D skeleton to a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of a target pose and altering one or more characteristics of the dance-based video game based on the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Flury, Kasson D. Crooker, Matthew C. Boch, Eran B. Egozy, Dean N. Tate, Seth Goldstein, Isaac Adams, Adam Carriuolo
  • Patent number: 8696455
    Abstract: By providing voice recognition in a gaming environment, an IVR server may operate to revoice a player with a voice tone pitch and accent more appropriate to the player's character. This improves the quality of the illusion of the game play. Furthermore, accurate volume may be applied to particular voices dependent on their location relative to the player and the game may be controlled using voice commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Bidco, LP
    Inventors: Ian Domville, Henry Rawlinson
  • Patent number: 8684838
    Abstract: A gaming method for presenting both gaming content based video signals and secondary video signals over a single display using a Display Manager is disclosed. The Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from a system device, and then displays one or multiple video signals on one or more shared displays. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The Display Manager splits, overlays, superimposes, or otherwise shares the display among the video input signals. A touch router device interprets touches at a touch screen shared display to transform coordinates to enable interpretation of the player's touch inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen
  • Patent number: 8683386
    Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Mark Shuster
  • Patent number: 8672755
    Abstract: A net or barrier has strategically located pocket(s) attached to the net over holes(s) in the net/barrier in order to catch a ball or projectile that passes through the hole(s). A computer-assisted method displays information, more particularly advertisement, onto a net or barrier. The computer-assisted display is viewable by a TV or video audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: David W Guthrie, George Baumgardner
  • Patent number: 8668573
    Abstract: A method for conducting a game includes defining at least one bonus selection event and at least one bonus award event. Play of a game is monitored for the occurrence of a bonus selection event. In response to a bonus selection event, a bonus selection apparatus is controlled to select one or more bonus award indicia. The bonus award indicia are stored and displayed at a bonus award escrow display. In response to a bonus award event, a bonus award associated with a bonus award indicia stored and displayed at the bonus award escrow display is issued to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Battle Born Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Mayeroff
  • Patent number: 8654123
    Abstract: To provide a CAD-system projection method for a further improvement in user convenience by preventing unnecessary dimension lines from being added when a projection drawing is created from a three-dimensional model. A pre-projected projection drawing is used to set, as objects to be projected, a three-dimensional element of a component in an edit state and a scale line added to the three-dimensional line, the three-dimensional element being a projection source of a two-dimensional element in the projection drawing. Thus, a three-dimensional element that is not in the edit state, a dimension line therefore, and a three-dimensional element that is not a projection source of the two-dimensional element in the projection drawing, and a scale line for the three-dimensional line are not projected. Consequently, it is possible to obtain a projection drawing that includes necessary projection lines and a dimension line therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takayuki Tokumaru
  • Patent number: 8651939
    Abstract: A gaming system comprised of a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines and a mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator operable to individually indicate the gaming machines. The gaming machine indicator is mounted or positioned near the adjacently arranged gaming machines. A controller actuates the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to rotate or move. The mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator may also include lighting effects. The controller is operable to select a gaming machine and actuate the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to indicate the selected gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Dennis Nordman
  • Patent number: 8647200
    Abstract: An example game device performs a game process based on operation data representing an operation performed on a controller. The game device generates a first game image representing a game space as viewed from a first virtual camera which is set in the game space, and displays the first game image on a television. A second virtual camera, different from the first virtual camera, is set in the game space based on operation data for a terminal device. The game device generates a second game image representing the game space as viewed from the second virtual camera, and displays the second game image on the terminal device. In response to an execution of a predetermined operation on the terminal device 7, the game device stores image information regarding the second game image in a predetermined storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Abe
  • Patent number: 8641523
    Abstract: When a new character is selected by a game player, the game apparatus changes the visual point and the visual axis corresponding to the newly selected character with preventing camera sickness. When a character is changed, a visual point moves from point A to point B parallel to the line connecting a start point and a finish point with maintaining a direction of a visual axis. And then the visual point circular moves from point B to point C at a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventors: Nobuhisa Hiroshige, Takashi Isono
  • Patent number: 8636572
    Abstract: The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Applewhite, Bryn Bennett, Sylvain Dubrofsky, Michael Monsalvatge, Daniel A. Schmidt, Matthew J. Sharpe, Daniel C. Teasdale
  • Patent number: 8628084
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes at least one cylindrical mechanical reel mounted in a cabinet. The mechanical reel includes symbols displayed to indicate, at least in part, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The mechanical reel is rotatable about an internal axis and defines an interior space that is free of a hub along the internal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Nickey C. Shin, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Walter E. Smolucha
  • Patent number: 8622826
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing comprehensive information of all game achievements on a single GUI of a gaming and media system. The achievements GUI lists all game achievements, whether locked or unlocked, and may visually differentiate between locked and unlocked achievements. Upon a user selecting a listed achievement, information relating to that achievement may be displayed on the same GUI, in an achievement descriptor area beside the area listing the achievements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Ostergren, Trisha Eileen Stouffer
  • Patent number: 8616971
    Abstract: Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more billiard game objects in relation to a billiard table having a playing surface. A state of a billiards game being played is determined based on the position data. One or more perceptible effects associated with the determined state of the billiards game are selected. The one or more perceptible effects are produced in connection with the billiards game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Obscura Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Niklas Lundback, Steve Mason, Michael Harville, Travis Threlkel
  • Patent number: 8602887
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for synthesizing information received from multiple audio and visual sources focused on a single scene. The system may determine the positions of capture devices based on a common set of cues identified in the image data of the capture devices. As a scene may often have users and objects moving into and out of the scene, data from the multiple capture devices may be time synchronized to ensure that data from the audio and visual sources are providing data of the same scene at the same time. Audio and/or visual data from the multiple sources may be reconciled and assimilated together to improve an ability of the system to interpret audio and/or visual aspects from the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Tardif, Kathryn Stone Perez, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Dawson Yee
  • Patent number: 8602891
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image display system for displaying an image on a display screen. The image display system includes a light-emitting portion, a lighting portion, a display control portion, and a lighting control portion. The light-emitting portion emits infrared light. The lighting portion sheds visible light. The display control portion performs predetermined information processing based on a detection result for the infrared light, thereby controlling image display on the display screen. The lighting control portion controls lighting by the lighting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kondo, Takeshi Nagareda, Eizi Kawai
  • Patent number: 8597119
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8597120
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and in this game apparatus, a proceeding direction of a player object in a switched scene is detected when the scene is switched. Regarding the proceeding direction, in a case of a drainpipe, and etc., having an exit in the switched scene with a directionality, its direction of the exit is detected, and in a case of a door, and etc., having the exit without directionality, the proceeding direction of the player object in the scene yet to be switched is detected, for example. Furthermore, a screen display position of a display screen is adjusted in such a manner that a display area on a proceeding direction side in the switched scene is rendered as large as possible, for example. Therefore, the display screen, on which the proceeding direction in the switched scene is reflected, is generated and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Kawai, Shigeyuki Asuke
  • Patent number: 8591327
    Abstract: If a random number is larger than a selection coefficient SF, a room unit RU is given a high priority for disposition in a map area. If the random number is not larger than the selection coefficient, no room unit is disposed on the map area. Also, if a selected open door is a door set in a room unit, the selection coefficient is multiplied by a multiplication factor, and then the multiplication result and the random number are compared. As the multiplication factor is larger, a passage unit is given a higher priority for disposition on the map area. By adjusting the selection coefficient and the multiplication factor, it is possible to generate a map in consideration of a ratio of units of two types to be disposed on the map area and an affinity between these units for connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhito Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8589905
    Abstract: A version file retrieving unit of a game device retrieves via a network a version file including version information identifying an OS recommended for the execution of game software running. An OS version comparing unit compares first version information on the OS running with second version information identifying the OS recommended for the execution of the game software running. When the second version indicates a version newer than that of the first version information, the OS retrieving unit downloads the latest OS and stores it in the hard disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Miwa, Tsunehisa Kazawa
  • Patent number: 8574058
    Abstract: Systems, gaming machines, games, and methods for displaying an exploding icon are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a gaming device comprises a display screen that presents a game. The game presented on the display screen comprises one or more game icons for display in various locations on the display screen, wherein the game presents an animated icon upon the occurrence of a triggering event such that the animated icon produces one or more wild icons that move about the display screen before being positioned in fixed locations on the display screen. Additionally, the gaming device includes a means for activating the game and triggering the presentation of the animated icon, and a means for determining whether one or more combinations of the game icons and the wild icons form any winning combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Schultz, Terence G. Daly, Kimberly J. Cohn, William E. Rommerdahl, John LaSalvia, John E. Garofalo, Jr., Nathanial A. Hammond, Jack A Martin
  • Patent number: 8568229
    Abstract: In a network game, player characters manipulated by individual players of video game apparatuses belong to the same party to battle with an opponent character. When a player character making a special move is not present in the party, the display screen of each video game apparatus becomes a screen focusing on the player character of the player who uses this video game apparatus. When one of the player characters makes a special move, not only the display screen of the video game apparatus corresponding to this player, but also the display screens of the video game apparatuses corresponding to the other player characters in the party become screens focusing on the player character which makes the special move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventors: Jin Fujisawa, Takashi Anzai
  • Publication number: 20130274016
    Abstract: A system includes a community screen configured to display images of a community event thereon. The system includes a number of wagering game machines coupled to the community screen. The system also includes a number of handheld devices, wherein each handheld device has a respective display and is associated with a respective one of the wagering game machines. The system includes an image module configured, for at least one handheld device of the number of handheld devices, to identify a location on the community screen based on a position of the at least one handheld device and to present an image on the display of the at least one handheld device based on the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin T. Gomez, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Pamela S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130267319
    Abstract: A system receives standard game output consisting of electronic signals for displaying text, numbers, and machine sounds and converts these signals to animated behavior and animated speech of a virtual human bystander shown on the audio-visual display. An interface receives data communication representing standard game states and standard game output from a separate electronic game, and uses the input to drive a virtual assistant projector, which animates an automated virtual assistant on the audio-visual display. A game output converter translates standard game states and standard game output from the interface into animated behavior information and animated speech information for input to the virtual assistant projector. Computer processing of the system can be operationally and communicatively isolated from a main game engine of the electronic game table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: DIGIDEAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL KUHN, DAVID KRISE, DONALD EVANS, KANE KUHN
  • Patent number: 8550913
    Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A display manager receives one or more video signals from a controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on the curved display. The display manager sends the multiple video signals to a projector which projects the multiple video signals on the curved display. The curved display may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The display manager the video signals regarding how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen, John R. Vallejo, Vernon H. Bernard, II, Karl E. Wudtke, Frank R. Anderson, Lawrence C. McAllister
  • Patent number: RE44658
    Abstract: An input processing device comprises a display screen and a pointing device for inputting corresponding 2-dimensional coordinates on the display screen. A 3-dimensional space is displayed on the display screen and the 2-dimensional coordinates inputted from the pointing device are detected. Next, shift amounts, per unit of time, of the detected 2-dimensional coordinates are calculated based on a predetermined calculation start condition. And the calculated shift amounts are converted to 3-dimensional coordinate shift amounts in the 3-dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Konno, Yoshitaka Ajioka, Yasushi Ebisawa, Kiyoshi Mizuki