Image Projection Patents (Class 463/34)
  • Publication number: 20120244943
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a player to participate in a live online game via a landbased gaming terminal. A game manager is playing the game while being captured for example by a video camera. A player participates in the game through using the landbased gaming terminal, which presents the image stream and lets the player make selections and perform actions for participating in the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: VIDEOB HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Sagi HARARI
  • Patent number: 8267783
    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: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Glen van Datta, Gary Zalewski
  • Publication number: 20120231886
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting characteristics of at least one environmental condition in an external environment that is external to a wagering game machine in a casino (e.g., detect activity that occurs in the casino, detect appearance of people and objects in the casino, detect light and sound events, etc.). The operations can further include generating an animated wagering game effect in a wagering game animation, using the detected characteristics of the environmental condition. The animated wagering game effect can affect one or more wagering game objects within the wagering game animation in a way that emulates the environmental condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Robert W. Morgan, III, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8262473
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an amusement device, the amusement device having: a display device rotatably mounted to a structure, the display device being configured to create a plurality of images via a persistence of vision effect; a device for rotating the display device; a sensor for determining whether an object has hit one of the plurality of images; a microcontroller in operable communication with the sensor and the display device, the microcontroller changing the appearance of at least one of the plurality of images when the sensor determines that an object has hit at least one of the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Civettini, Douglas P. Snook, Luke J. Orland, Todd M. Bailey, Christopher Hardouin
  • Patent number: 8257175
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus for providing a wager-based game that may include a primary display unit, a secondary display unit, a value input device and a first controller is described. The secondary display unit may include a viewing window, a first object coupled to a movable member, a second object and a semi-transparent mirror. The viewing window, the semi-transparent mirror, the first object and the second object may be positioned, such that an image of one of the first object or the second object is transmitted through the mirror and an image of one of the first object or the second object is reflected by the mirror such that one image appears transposed on the other image when viewed through the viewing window. Via the movable member, a position of the first object may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, Christian E. Gadda
  • Publication number: 20120220360
    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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: 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: 8251812
    Abstract: A control program for an action game according to the present invention in which one of a plurality of characters moving in a game space is selected to be an attack target, in response to an operation of a game player, comprises: a selectable candidate object judging step of judging each of said plurality of characters as to whether or not it is a selectable candidate object which is qualified to be an attack target and which is in position relationship which could be selected as an attack target, a selection order deciding step of deciding an order of selecting those of said plurality of selectable candidate objects, which have been judged by the selectable candidate object judging step; and an attack target changing step of selecting, based on the selection order decided by the selection order deciding step, one of said plurality of characters as an attack target and sequentially changing the attack target in response to an attack target changing operation by the game player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ishihata, Nobuyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8249264
    Abstract: Reverberation parameters for one or more positions of interest are derived from graphics data used for displaying a computer-generated environment. For each position of interest for which reverberation parameters are desired, environmental parameters including distances and the hardness of features in a range of interest and at points on cubemap faces are automatically determined from the graphics data. The environmental parameters are stored with the graphics data and associated with each position of interest. Upon rendering of the computer-generated environment, reverberation property set values usable by a reverberation engine are calculated or interpolated between predetermined values according to the environmental parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Bailey, Barry Brumitt
  • Patent number: 8246460
    Abstract: Provided is a game system executing a game by performing communication between a plurality of hand-held game apparatuses, each having a display section for displaying an image and an operation section, and a stationary game apparatus. In each of the plurality of hand-held game apparatuses, a plurality of directional signs indicative of operations performed by a player using the operation section is displayed on the display section. Operation data indicative of a content of the operation performed by using the operation section is transmitted to the stationary game apparatus. The stationary game apparatus receives the operation data transmitted from each of the plurality of hand-held game apparatuses. The stationary game apparatus obtains, from sound data storage means storing therein a plurality of pieces of sound data, sound data corresponding to the operation data, and at the same time, outputs a sound based on each piece of the obtained sound data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8246462
    Abstract: A Hall-effect system for providing inputs into a processor includes at least one magnet for establishing a magnetic field, a remote sensor unit and a receive station. The magnet is sized and adapted to be worn on a user's finger, while the remote sensor unit is adapted to be worn on a user's thumb. The remote sensor unit includes a Hall-effect sensor that senses changes in the magnetic field due to the motion of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor. The Hall-effect sensor detects the magnetic field changes, and the remote sensor unit generates a sensor output corresponding to the magnetic field changes. The receive station is connected to the processor. The receive station receives the output from the remote sensor unit and converts the sensor output into an input for the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Nghia Tran, Michael R. Blackburn, Hoa V. Phan
  • Patent number: 8246456
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a virtual input device. The virtual input device is operable to receive input from a user by detecting a position of a user input object such as a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Motyl, Peerapong Thumutok
  • Patent number: 8246441
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display, a reel mounted for rotation relative to the display, the reel having a plurality of display symbols thereon, a plurality of light cups stationary relative to the display for illuminating symbols on the reel in the direction of the display, a sensor to detect the position of the light cups relative to the display and generate position information, and a controller in communication with the sensor operative to receive the position information from the sensor and determine the position of the light cups relative to the reel from the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Bruce H. Blair, Anticio T. Duke, James P. Krol, Eric T. Miner, James M. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8241132
    Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a communications network arranged to facilitate communications to and from the gaming machines. Each gaming machine is arranged to implement a game, and to generate status information indicative of whether the gaming machine is vacant or occupied, and the system is arranged to display availability information derived from the status information indicative of whether at least some of the gaming machines are vacant or occupied. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: Blake Timothy James Freele
  • Patent number: 8241123
    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 is placed between the Master Gaming Controller and its Main Game Display and any Secondary Display and between the Player Tracking Unit connected to the casino system network (e.g., player tracking device) and its System display. The Display Manager receives one or more video signals from the Master Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on one or more shared displays. One of video signals may be presented alone on one of the displays, with the other signal absent from that shared display, or multiple signals may be simultaneously displayed on one of the shared displays. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen Patton, Kiran Brahmandam, Robert S. Crowder, Jr., Vijay Kompella, Jeffrey Lee Allen
  • Patent number: 8241124
    Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Master Gaming 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 digital light emitting projector which projects the multiple video signals simultaneously 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 receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    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: 8235795
    Abstract: A system for providing a multi-game gaming machine having mechanical reel strips is displayed. A mechanical-reel gaming machine may include light responsive polymer material layers on its reel strips having multiple symbol images visible in polarized light and methods for displaying such symbol images is disclosed. The multi-game gaming machine has access to changing reel strips, and as such a number of sets of symbols can be displayed based on a game selection and corresponding image polarizer orientation. The uniform light sources per reel work with the image polarizer associated per reel, with polarizer location between preferably the reel and the game patron or the light sources and the reel. The polarizer orientation changes based on a game selection, with different game symbols displayed according to that selected game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony E. Green, Anand Singh, Thomas E. Buckeyne
  • Patent number: 8235812
    Abstract: A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Kimberly M. Campbell, Christiaan R. Champagne, Dwayne A. Davis, Hans Elias, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis, David N. Myers, David M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8231464
    Abstract: Gaming machine is disclosed having a primary display and a secondary display mounted over the primary display. In one implementation, the primary display is a mechanical display and the secondary display is a transmissive display. This arrangement allows a wagering game to be displayed on the mechanical display alone, the mechanical display and the transmissive display together, or the transmissive display alone. As a result, players and casino operators have access to multiple wagering games on the same display area of the gaming machine. All three options need not be present on the gaming machine, however, and any two of the three will suffice. It is important, however, that the wagering game displayed on the transmissive display be separate and distinct from the wagering game displayed on the mechanical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Philip B. Gelber, Shridhar P. Joshi, Larry J. Pacey, James M. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8226477
    Abstract: An exemplary method for automatically simulating calling scenarios comprises the steps of receiving, from a user, information relating to a call center scenario, automatically obtaining at least one calling scenario template based on the information, automatically merging code modules specific to the scenario with the template to generate a simulation program, executing the simulation program, and providing simulation results to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LiveOps, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Machado, Markus Hahn
  • Patent number: 8226475
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having with a facsimile graphical user interface are disclosed. The systems and methods include displaying on a graphical object on the gaming machine that represents a physical component of the gaming machine. One aspect of the systems and methods includes selecting the graphical object and initiating an action for the physical component represented by the graphical object. A further aspect includes sensing a status for a physical component on the gaming machine and displaying a graphical object representing the status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Trobia
  • Patent number: 8219018
    Abstract: An image generating program, a storage medium, an image processing method, and an image processing device are provided capable of carrying out very detailed image control while preventing wastage of resources. This is configured such that a area of a movement path present in a viewing frustum is calculated, then a determination is made based on the area as to whether or not moving objects are to be generated, and when it is determined that moving objects are to be generated, information of the moving objects to be generated is stored in storage means such that positions of moving objects present in the viewing frustum are renewed based on the information of the plurality of moving objects stored in the storage means and images of the plurality of moving objects are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventor: Fumiaki Hara
  • Patent number: 8216036
    Abstract: An entertainment system comprises a remotely controlled toy having a video camera operable to capture video images of a real environment and an entertainment device operable to communicate using a data communications link with the remotely controlled toy, in which the device comprises transmitting means operable to transmit, via the data communications link, control data to the remotely controlled toy that relates to the control of the remotely controlled toy, receiving means operable to receive, from the data communications link, video images captured by the video camera—of the remotely controlled toy, detecting means operable to detect a real environment feature within the real environment, processing means operable to generate a virtual image feature in dependence upon the detected real environment feature, and displaying means operable to generate a combined display of the captured video images and the virtual image feature such that the virtual image feature is arranged with respect to the video images s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Adriana Maria Eyzaguirre, Peter John Hodges
  • Patent number: 8210943
    Abstract: A system for targeting and attack of one or more enemies in a game environment is provided. A player may designate an enemy or enemies on a display screen as a target and subsequently initiate an attack of the targeted enemy or enemies. The display allows for flexibility in choosing which enemies to attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Woodard, Dylan Jobe
  • Patent number: 8206218
    Abstract: A 3D videogame system capable of displaying a left-right sequences through a different, independent VGA or video channel, with a display device sharing a memory in an immerse manner. The system has a videogame engine controlling and validating the image perspectives, assigning textures, lighting, positions, movements and aspects associated with each object participating in the game; creates left and right backbuffers, creates images and presents the information in the frontbuffers. The system allows handling the information of data associated to the xyz coordinates of the object's image in real-time, increases the RAM for the left-right backbuffer, with the possibility to discriminate and take the corresponding backbuffer, whose information is sent to the frontbuffer or additional independent display device sharing a memory in an immerse manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: TDVision Corporation S.A. De C.V.
    Inventor: Manuel Rafael Gutierrez Novelo
  • Publication number: 20120157204
    Abstract: Projector-based amusement games are defined which detect the location attributes, such as position, motion, angle of direction, orientation, direction of aiming, and the like, imparted on the controller or controllers by a user. Signals representative of the detected location attributes are then used to determine the next states of the game. Visual images and animations representing a portion of the next states associated with the location attributes are generated and sent to be projected onto a projection surface. The one or more projectors used to project the visual images and animations may be embedded into the user controller or external to the user controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: LAI Games Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeremy Kelsey, Christopher J. McGrath
  • Patent number: 8203659
    Abstract: A combination of an LCD display and a gaming machine includes an LCD comprising a touchscreen, a liquid crystal panel, a backlight module, printed circuit boards, and a rear cover having an opening wherein the backlight module comprises, from front to rear, four optical films each having three openings, three barrier films, a light guide having three openings, two light sources on top and bottom edges of the light guide respectively, a reflecting film having three openings, and a frame plate having three openings, the barrier films functions as a visual barrier or a transparent member by adjusting voltage applied thereto, and the openings are aligned one another; a plurality of revolving wheels disposed behind the LCD, each wheel comprising a plurality of symbols arranged annually thereon. One pattern including the symbols of the wheels behind the openings is illuminated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Litemax Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kun-Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 8197343
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes two LCDs, a touch panel is provided in association with the one LCD. On the touch panel, an operation button corresponding to each player character is set. A setting of the operation button is changed according to an operation state (frequency of usage, operation coordinates position) by a player during playing the game. For example, a size of an operation effective area and a display position of the operation button are changed according to the frequency of usage. Furthermore, at least any one of the operation effective areas and the display position of the operation button is changed according to the operation coordinates position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Tahara, Kentaro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8189813
    Abstract: In a sound processing apparatus, a storage unit stores, for example, a distance range in which sound uttered from a sound source is varied as information showing an area associated with the sound source. A determination unit determines the distance between the sound source and an attended point which is a position in which the sound uttered from the sound source is heard, and determines whether or not the attended point is in the distance range stored in the storage unit. A varying unit varies the sound when the attended point is in the distance range. A reproducing unit reproduces the sound varied by the varying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Muraoka, Ryoji Makimura
  • Patent number: 8187090
    Abstract: The invention provides a conjuring assisting toy which can make a viewer feel the supernatural force and interestedness which are inherent in a conjuring trick by displaying the result of a conjuring trick through simple operations, there is provided a conjuring assisting toy including a display means for displaying an image, a coordinate inputting means for designating coordinates relative to a display area of the display means, and a central control means, wherein the central control means includes a main control unit, a conjuring data storage unit, an input analyzing unit and an operation unit, an operation result storage unit, an inputted diagram storage unit, and an image data forming and outputting unit, an inputted position signal is analyzed by the input analyzing unit, the main control unit causes position information based on the inputted position signal to be stored in the inputted diagram storage unit, causes the display means to display a line image, determines specific feature information from i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Tenyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 8187092
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Donald F. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8177638
    Abstract: Gaming machines projecting video images onto a curved display are disclosed herein. A Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Master Gaming 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 digital light emitting projector which projects the multiple video signals simultaneously 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 receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    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: 8172675
    Abstract: A hand-held device having a body with a pressure-sensitive exterior surface. At least a portion of the pressure-sensitive exterior surface is designed to be grasped by a user's hand. The pressure-sensitive surface contains a plurality of pressure sensors operative to provide an output signal proportional to a pressure applied by the user's hands to the exterior surface of the hand-held device at the area the pressure sensor is located. The device also includes a memory for storing the output signals provided by the plurality of pressure sensors and a processor for comparing the output signals provided by the plurality of pressure sensors against stored pressure profile signatures for positively identifying the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Migos, David H. Sloo
  • Patent number: 8172678
    Abstract: This image processing device for games is a device whereby a prescribed number of models (characters) are setup in virtual space, these models are controlled such that they move in prescribed directions in the virtual space, and images of this virtual space from a virtual viewpoint are displayed on means for display. In order to display the movement of the models that are arranged in virtual space more realistically, in one construction thereof, this device is provided with means for image processing that apply virtual centripetal force to the models. Furthermore, in order to display the movement of the models more realistically and to heighten the dramatic effect, in one construction thereof, this device is equipped with means for processing residual image presentation in order to represent the track of movement of a model as residual images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kaku, Yuichiro Mine, Takashi Ono, Norio Haga, Makoto Osaki, Takayuki Yamaguchi, Norihiro Sekine, Ryoya Yui, Saori Nishikawa, Tetsuya Sugimoto, Shigeru Yoshida, Manabu Nakatani, Masumi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8172679
    Abstract: In a gaming table (1), image light L1 emitted from a display surface of a liquid crystal module (2) that carries out a dual image display arrives, directly through a window of a frame (4b), at a player in front of the gaming table. Image light L2 emitted from the display surface of the liquid crystal module (2) is reflected by a reflecting surface of a mirror member (3) so as to also arrive at the player through the window of the frame (4b). The player recognizes a first image formed from the image light L1 and a second image formed from the image light L2. Thus, the first and second images are supplied to the player as a background image on the gaming table (1). This makes it possible to realize a gaming machine having a display device that can display a large screen and can reduce the size and cost of the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Nittou
  • Patent number: 8172666
    Abstract: A slot machine according to the present invention includes: a plurality of reels having thereon plural types of symbols set in array; a display device having a symbol matrix display region having therein the plurality of symbols set in array on the reel, and a symbol image display region for displaying a symbol image of a symbol not arranged in the symbol matrix display image; a memory storing symbol image data relating to symbols identical or similar to the plural types of symbols set in array on the reel, and reel image data relating to a reel having a reel shape; and a controller for controlling the reels, the display device, and the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8157651
    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: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Ohta, Kenta Sato
  • Patent number: 8152638
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a housing, which is playable by a plurality of players, that has a station provided for each individual player; an operation detection unit that detects an operation of a player present at each of the stations performing a bet operation through a bet image displayed on the image display unit; an image capturing unit, provided at the housing, that can capture images of a player present at each of the stations, and a determination unit that determines tampering or an error of a game by comparing image capturing information obtained by the image capturing unit with predetermined information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8147330
    Abstract: A game apparatus determines whether or not a predetermined first condition is fulfilled. When the first condition is fulfilled, the game apparatus causes the second speaker to generate a sound and moves an object in a virtual game space. When a predetermined second condition regarding a position of the object is fulfilled as a result of the object being moved by the moving control means, the game apparatus causes the first speaker to generate a sound. The game apparatus causes a display device to display the game space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Matsuda, Masafumi Kawamura, Yoshiaki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8147329
    Abstract: To provide a game device capable of reducing stress felt by a player in a case of determining a moving destination position of a moving instruction object image. A display unit (84) displays a game screen containing the moving instruction object image and a moving target candidate image. A determining unit (an enemy unit selecting unit (76)) determines whether or not a moving destination candidate position accepted by a moving destination candidate accepting unit (74) and a position of the moving target candidate image satisfy predetermined positional conditions. A display control unit (82) performs display output associated with the moving target candidate image based on parameter information corresponding to the moving target candidate image and parameter information corresponding to the moving instruction object image in accordance with a result of the determination made by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Komuta
  • Patent number: 8118671
    Abstract: An image display apparatus which realizes a new visual effect is provided. According to a game apparatus 10 of the present invention, images from the viewpoints of a plurality of characters in a virtual space can be switched arbitrarily. A first processing unit 22 is in charge of an image from the viewpoint of a main character, and a second processing unit 24 is in charge of images from the viewpoints of sub characters. When this technology is applied to a game, it is possible to recognize the position of one's own main character and the like from the images from the viewpoints of the sub characters. This makes it possible to realize a new visual effect and enhance gameability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichiro Toyama
  • Patent number: 8100750
    Abstract: Methods for receiving and processing input on a gaming machine using a virtual user interface are disclosed herein. According to one method, a gaming machine having a game display for presenting a game is able to generate a virtual user interface of a surface of the gaming machine. The virtual user interface includes one or more virtual components that correspond to one or more game functions. The gaming machine receives and processes user input via the virtual user interface. The gaming machine then performs the game function corresponding to the user input. Gaming machines having a virtual user interface are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a game display for presenting a game. The gaming machine also includes a virtual interface controller for generating and presenting a virtual user interface on a surface of the gaming machine where the virtual user interface receives user input for gaming or non-gaming functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Lawrence McAllister
  • Patent number: 8096871
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display having a reel section and a grid section. The reel section includes a plurality of cells arranged in one reel row and a plurality of reel columns. The grid section includes a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of grid rows and a plurality of grid columns, with each of the reel columns corresponding to a specific grid column. A game is played by repeating the steps of displaying icons in each of the cells in the reel section, selecting one of the icons in the reel section and transferring the selected icon to the lowermost unoccupied cell in the grid column corresponding to the reel column in which the icon is displayed. The game is won when an alignment of icons in the grid section is equal to a defined winning grid alignment of icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Roelofs
  • Patent number: 8083588
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a novel video gaming experience on a play surface on which reconfigurable information is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy R. Pryor
  • Patent number: 8079906
    Abstract: A game machine is connected to an information management device performing the collection and management of information for the game machine and including a display device on which specified play contents are displayed. The game machine comprises a first display (lower liquid crystal display), a second display (upper liquid crystal display) and a controller. The first display includes a variable display region for a plurality of patterns used in a game, and the second display displays play contents according to a game state. The controller controls the first display including the variable display region and controls the play contents for the second display, and the controller switches the play contents displayed by the second display to the specified play contents displayed by the display device of the information management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Osawa
  • Patent number: 8075398
    Abstract: A first executable, such as a computer game, operates co-extensively with a second independently operating executable that monitors events on a client operating the first executable. The second executable determines actions to be performed in response to monitored events, as defined by a business logic table. The second executable traps API calls to perform actions altering apparent output of the first executable. The business logic table may be distributed to the client separately. The second executable and the first executable may be configured to execute during the same times on the client node. The second executable may be used to provide additional content, including advertising, in the context of an existing game or other software executable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Double Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: James Beser, Ofer Rundstein, Hillel S. Rom
  • Publication number: 20110300937
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: 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: 8062113
    Abstract: Of a region in a tabular form having a plurality of entries and squares related to the entries, a portion thereof including a square designated by a player is displayed on a screen. Next, information about an entry related to the designated square is obtained. The obtained entry is displayed in association with a display position of the designated square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Tawara, Norichika Meguro
  • Patent number: 8062128
    Abstract: Utilizing line-of-sight volumes in a game environment comprises calculating a line-of-sight vector defined by the position of a game camera and the position of a character in the game environment, determining whether one of a set of predetermined game elements intersects the line-of-sight vector, and if the line-of-sight vector is intersected, replacing the game element with its corresponding line-of-sight volume. In one embodiment, a line-of-sight volume is a grid volume that has the same size and shape as it corresponding game element. The line-of-sight volume allows a user to substantially view the character in the game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Dylan F. Jobe, Jeffrey T. Limback
  • Patent number: 8059893
    Abstract: A method and electronics circuit for processing very high resolution images or very high frame rate images in real time. Each pixel within a frame of pixels is compared to the neighboring pixels within the frame to determine if the pixel is part of a blob group. If the pixel is part of the blob group, the characteristics of the pixel are added to the statistics for the blob group. When a pixel overlaps two target blob groups, the two blob groups are combined to form one blob group. When the end of the frame is reached information about the blob groups in the frame is made available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Ronald Norman Prusia
  • Patent number: RE43216
    Abstract: Smooth, stable and high quality game image is provided by accurately pre-reading background data required for image processing each time. The game device therefore reads background data required for a game that displays a condition of a moving vehicle within a virtual three-dimensional space together with a background in the main memory from a CD-ROM (recording medium) prior to image processing. This device comprises a pre-reading unit for pre-reading background data from a recording medium when reading a start line (reference line) set at a distant position in a specified distance away from the limit line of the visual field direction of display is crossing a new area. A recording medium is a medium that records background data by dividing it into a plurality of areas in advance, and the pre-reading unit comprises a unit for judging on which of the areas the reference line is crossing, and a reading unit for reading in memory the background data of the area judged as being crossed with the reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventor: Masaaki Ito