Audible Patents (Class 463/35)
  • Patent number: 10293256
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for managing the response of a digital entity in a simulation to reflect its interaction with one or more players over time, such as managing a non-player character's responses to player characters in an online computer game. In the system, a computer system tracks the interaction of the digital entity with other entities and the occurrence or status of internal and external events to control how the digital entity reacts to current events and interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Daybreak Game Company LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Udo Cao
  • Patent number: 10258871
    Abstract: An electronic device identifies a plurality of scene elements within a plurality of sample game scenes within a game and a plurality of sound effect units within a plurality of audio files existing in the game and generates a scene element library containing one or more of the plurality of sound effect units in association with each of a plurality of scene elements in accordance with a predefined matching strategy, the scene element library including a list of possible scene elements for constructing game scenes. After obtaining a scene element template for a respective scene in the game, the electronic device also selects one or more corresponding sound effect units for each of the one or more constituent scene elements in the scene element template for the respective scene. The electronic device further generates a composite sound effect for the respective scene using the selected sound effect units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Weilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10212520
    Abstract: A method and system for daisy chaining tournament audio controllers, where the method comprises, in a headset coupled to a first audio controller, the first audio controller being in a daisy chain of audio controllers: receiving a chat signal from a previous audio controller in the daisy chain of audio controllers, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone in the headset, summing the chat signal with the microphone signal, communicating the summed signal to a next audio controllers in the daisy chain, and communicating the chat signal to the headset. The microphone signal may be removed from the summed chat signal and microphone signal by adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees out of phase with the microphone signal. The chat signal may be summed with the microphone signal at an amplitude set by a user of the headset after the removal of the microphone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: David Zepp, Travis Kettering
  • Patent number: 10203216
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for building customized media programs for a specified duration are provided. An example media-playback device for generating customized media programs for a route to a specified duration includes a user preferences engine to determine a user's listening preferences, a duration engine to determine a duration of the route, and a duration-based media program engine for building a playlist of news and entertainment media content based on the duration of the route and the preferences of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Spotify AB
    Inventors: Lawrence Kennedy, Johan Oskarsson
  • Patent number: 10114934
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining consecutive matches are provided. According to one embodiment, a class definition and a data stream are received by a network security device. The data stream is partitioned into multiple data blocks each containing N data segments. Each data block is processed in parallel to compute: (i) a value (F) indicating whether every data segment value meets the class definition; (ii) a value (L) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the left; (iii) a value (M) indicating a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition; and (iv) a value (R) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the right. Corresponding values for each data block are then aggregated to determine a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition for the entire data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventor: Juneng Zheng
  • Patent number: 10105602
    Abstract: An electronic device may receive a plurality of channels of game and/or chat audio during play of a game. The electronic device may detect one or more sounds on one or more of the audio channels during the monitoring of the plurality of audio channels. The electronic device may control, based on the detected one or more sounds, operation of a game controller that interacts with the game during play. The controlling of the operation of the game controller may comprise adjusting sensitivity of the game controller. The electronic device may determine directionality of the detected one or more sounds and adjust the sensitivity of the game controller based on the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds. The electronic device may increase and/or decrease the sensitivity of the game controller in response to changes in the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kulavik
  • Patent number: 10075804
    Abstract: A non-limiting example sound processing system is functioned by a game system that includes a game apparatus, a display device and a plurality of speakers. For example, the plurality of speakers are arranged so as to constitute a surround system. When the game apparatus performs control processing of a game, a game screen is displayed on the display device and a game sound is output from respective speakers. When generating a game sound, a terrain in a virtual space is checked in a grid-like shape within a predetermined range centered on a listener who is located in the virtual space, and a plurality of arrangement position candidates for sound source are set, and a part of arrangement position candidates to be the forefront with respect to the listener are selected from the plurality of arrangement position candidates for sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Kawamura, Mitsuhiro Hikino
  • Patent number: 10073592
    Abstract: An electronic device provides data to present a media information user interface for a media content item. The media information user interface includes: media source objects that correspond to respective media sources for the media content item, and media management objects for the media content item. A media source object, corresponding to a media source, is visually distinguished to indicate selection of the media source object. The media management objects include one or more media presentation option objects that correspond to the media content item and the media source. The device receives a user input; and, in response, in accordance with determining that the user input corresponds to a request to activate a media presentation option object, initiates provision of data to play the media content item using data received from the media source in accordance with a media presentation option that corresponds to the media presentation option object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Henrique D. Penha, Graham R. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William M. Bachman, Benjamin W. Keighran, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Jonathan Lochhead, Joe R. Howard, Joshua K. McGlinn, Elbert D. Chen, Brian A. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10022627
    Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to access the virtual space. The device information may be used to facilitate enhanced party formation between users of the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10015744
    Abstract: A wireless tunneling system tunnels communications between a first host device and a second host device through a wireless link, while maintaining compliance of the communications between the first and second host devices with a wired communication protocol and operates in a power efficient manner. Two host devices may communicate with each other through a wireless link using the wireless tunneling system, as if two host devices were connected through the wired cable. The wireless tunneling system operates in one of a high power state and one or more low power states. In the high power state, the wireless tunneling system exchanges data at a higher data rate for tunneling. In the low power state, the wireless tunneling system disables power hungry components for conserving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dmitry Cherniavsky, Chinh Huy Doan, Wen Fan, Mark Forbes, Brian Henry John, Nishit Kumar, James Ray Parker
  • Patent number: 10009606
    Abstract: A technique for decoding data within a context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) stream processes one or more bins of compressed data based on video format parameters associated with the stream. A configurable CABAC decoder circuit cascades one or more instances of CABAC bin decoder logic to operate properly within a timing constrain established by a decoder clock frequency. The decoder may advantageously select among different combinations of decoder clock frequency and decoded bins per clock cycle to minimize power consumption associated with decompressing and playing the compressed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Bulusu, Harikrishna Reddy
  • Patent number: 9987982
    Abstract: A method for controlling an environmentally-friendly vehicle operating sound generator apparatus. The method includes a step of providing an environmentally-friendly vehicle operating sound generator apparatus. The method further includes a diagnosis confirmation step of allowing the control unit to confirm a connection state of the sound output unit and an operation state of the sound source playback unit and compare an output of the sound source amplification unit with a preset reference value to diagnose the presence of distortion. The method further includes an operating sound execution step of allowing the control unit to determine whether or not to generate an operating sound of the environmentally-friendly vehicle according to the vehicle operation state sensed by the vehicle state sensing unit, output at least one sound source, selected from among the sound sources stored in the sound source storage unit, as the operating sound through the sound output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Seung Sun, Jong Pil Park
  • Patent number: 9956487
    Abstract: Various embodiments relating to adjusting a variable audio parameter of a game are provided. In one embodiment, based on a user ability level, a variable audio parameter of the game is adjusted to an adjusted audio parameter that either increases the difficulty level of the game or decrease the difficulty level of the game. The adjusted audio parameter is utilized to provide audio content of the game to a user via an electronic gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew William Lovitt
  • Patent number: 9836313
    Abstract: A method for providing a visual response to input with reduced latency in a computing device includes computing alternative sets of intermediate data for a first graphical user interface element, each alternative set of intermediate data comprising data useful to produce a visual representation of the graphical user interface element. The plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data and a set of intermediate data for a second graphical user interface element are stored in memory. The method creates an index identifying a first one of the plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data for the first graphical user interface element to use in forming a final pixel image. The index, the first set of alternative intermediate data for the graphical user interface element, and the intermediate data for the second graphical user interface element are used to create a first final pixel image for display to a user, the first final pixel image including the first and second graphical user interface elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Wigdor, Steven Leonard Sanders, Ricardo Jorge Jota Costa, Clifton Forlines
  • Patent number: 9824195
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining consecutive matches are provided. According to one embodiment, a class definition and a data stream are received by a network security device. The data stream is partitioned into multiple data blocks each containing N data segments. Each data block is processed in parallel to compute: (i) a value (F) indicating whether every data segment value meets the class definition; (ii) a value (L) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the left; (iii) a value (M) indicating a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition; and (iv) a value (R) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the right. Corresponding values for each data block are then aggregated to determine a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition for the entire data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventor: Juneng Zheng
  • Patent number: 9773057
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide techniques for recommending a song to a user based on the user's application usage information. A method may include receiving an indication of playback of a first song, by a first user, in a media application operating on a first device. It may be determined that a first content item is active on the first device during playback of the first song. An association may be stored of the first content item with the first song. Next, an indication may be received that the first content item is active on the first device. As a result, a second song associated with the first content item, based on the association of the first content item with the first song, may be recommended to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Bilinski, Alexander Collins
  • Patent number: 9727307
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining consecutive matches are provided. According to one embodiment, a class definition and a data stream are received by a network security device. The data stream is partitioned into multiple data blocks each containing N data segments. Each data block is processed in parallel to compute: (i) a value (F) indicating whether every data segment value meets the class definition; (ii) a value (L) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the left; (iii) a value (M) indicating a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition; and (iv) a value (R) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the right. Corresponding values for each data block are then aggregated to determine a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition for the entire data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventor: Juneng Zheng
  • Patent number: 9729496
    Abstract: A method includes engaging with a second person to render a song on behalf of a first person using a digital representation of the first person; and on behalf of the first person and using the digital representation of the first person, while rendering the song with the second person, providing a natural language response to a question or statement from the second person based on information received from or about the first person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Forget You Not, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. W. Mansfield, Nissim Shani, Daniel Shani
  • Patent number: 9713774
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an enhanced contextual chat feature in online environments. The contextual chat feature may be used to present users with a list of expressions that may be sent to other users within an online environment (or to users in other online environments). The list of messages may be derived from a linguistic profile which itself may change as the use of language in an online environment (or by a particular user group) evolves, over time. In cases where a user sends a contextual chat message to another user in the same online environment, messages may be sent without being altered. However, when a user selects a contextual chat message from the list to send to a user in another online environment, the message may be translated based on a linguistic profile associated with users in the second environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus J. Hoomani, Vita Markman
  • Patent number: 9704346
    Abstract: There is described herein an online video game having a news network module for generating news feeds for broadcasting inside and outside of the video game. The news feeds may comprise virtual world news and/or real world news and may be customized as per individual player settings or operator settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Interprovincial Lottery Corporation
    Inventor: Eric St-Amand
  • Patent number: 9610508
    Abstract: According to the present invention, even while a chat opening process is in progress, users can join chats by means of a simple procedure from a video game machine. Once a chat has been opened, an invitation signal can further be transmitted to other chat guests. A video game machine of an expected guest receiving the invitation signal displays a screen prompting the guest to enter the chat room, and the expected guest can join the chat by transmitting an enter room signal to a database. At this time, a chat answer signal indicating that the expected guest accepts the invitation from a chairman is transmitted from the expected guest to the chairman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventor: Kazutoyo Maehiro
  • Patent number: 9550113
    Abstract: An electronic device may receive a plurality of channels of game and/or chat audio during play of a game. The electronic device may detect one or more sounds on one or more of the audio channels during the monitoring of the plurality of audio channels. The electronic device may control, based on the detected one or more sounds, operation of a game controller that interacts with the game during play. The controlling of the operation of the game controller may comprise adjusting sensitivity of the game controller. The electronic device may determine directionality of the detected one or more sounds and adjust the sensitivity of the game controller based on the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds. The electronic device may increase and/or decrease the sensitivity of the game controller in response to changes in the determined directionality of the detected one or more sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kulavik
  • Patent number: 9438612
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining consecutive matches are provided. According to one embodiment, a class definition and a data stream are received by a network security device. The data stream is partitioned into multiple data blocks each containing N data segments. Each data block is processed in parallel to compute: (i) a value (F) indicating whether every data segment value meets the class definition; (ii) a value (L) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the left; (iii) a value (M) indicating a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition; and (iv) a value (R) indicating a number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition starting from the right. Corresponding values for each data block are then aggregated to determine a maximum number of consecutive data segment values meeting the class definition for the entire data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventor: Juneng Zheng
  • Patent number: 9399169
    Abstract: Provided is a game system that, while reducing a load on a communication line, enables a current situation of a game that is being played by at least one user to be known by another user. A situation identifying information transmission section transmits, to an output device, situation identifying information related to the situation of the game that is being executed in at least one game device. An output control section of the output device causes an output section to output the situation of the game based on the situation identifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagayama
  • Patent number: 9289679
    Abstract: Provided is a program capable of facilitating an operation input made by a user. A computer-readable information storage medium has stored thereon a program for controlling a computer connected to an operation input device to function so as to obtain, for each time unit, an input value indicating specifics of the operation input of the user received by the operation input device, and to calculate, as an output value of a parameter to be operated, a value obtained by changing a reference value by a change amount, the reference value being determined by one of a plurality of obtained input values, the change amount being determined by each of the plurality of obtained input values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Junya Okura, Toshitake Tsuchikura
  • Patent number: 9229929
    Abstract: A modular learning system is provided that incorporates translation of language and media metadata associated with learning applications. The author of a learning application may provide a description of a desired translating user to perform translation of the author's learning application. The modular learning system provides a set of translating users meeting the description. The author selects a translating user and the selected translating user is provided on a translation request being made. After translation by the translating user, the language and media are updated to provide the translation to users. A badge is created for display to users to indicate the translation and data about the translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: Monk Akarshala Inc., Monk Akarshala Design Private Limited
    Inventor: Samridh Kapoor
  • Patent number: 9174132
    Abstract: Image data including a plurality of consecutively arranged images each indicating an option that is selectable as an instruction specifying a next action in an electronic game is stored. An image area indicating part of the image data is displayed in a command selection area on the touch panel. A slide or a flick, input by a user, on the touch panel is detected. The image area is displayed by scrolling an image area displayed in the command selection area within the image data in response to detection of the input slide or flick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayumi Takano
  • Patent number: 9149727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Nathan, Tony Mastronardi, Alain Choquet
  • Patent number: 9108104
    Abstract: An image including at least a part of a virtual world is generated as a first display image, a first sound created in the virtual world is generated, and a second sound forming a part of the first sound is selected in accordance with a user operation. Then, control is performed such that the first display image is displayed on a first display apparatus. Control is performed such that the generated first sound is output from a first loudspeaker in synchronization with the first display image displayed on the first display apparatus. Control is performed such that the selected second sound is output from a second loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Goro Abe, Takehiko Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9067134
    Abstract: Sounded reproduction of basic sound data indicating a game sound to be reproduced in a video game and sound deadening reproduction of coda data indicating coda used as a termination sound are started when it becomes predetermined reproduction start timing in the video game to reproduce the basic sound data and the coda data in synchronization with each other. By referring to marker data indicating a plurality of markers when it becomes predetermined reproduction end timing in the video game, switching timing to switch reproduction modes and stop timing to stop reproducing are determined. When it becomes the switching timing, the sounded reproduction of the basic sound data and the sound deadening reproduction of the coda data are respectively switched into sound deadening reproduction and sounded reproduction. The reproduction of the basic sound data and the coda data is stopped when it becomes the stop timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Masayoshi Soken, Yoshinori Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 9067135
    Abstract: A gaming device, during play of a particular game, receives a plurality of audio channels carrying game sounds and determines whether a first of the game sounds overwhelms a second of the game sounds. In response to the determination, the gaming device adjusts a level of one or more of the audio channels such that perceptibility of the second game sound is improved relative to perceptibility of the first game sound prior to the adjustment, wherein for the adjustment, a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the first game sound is decreased while a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the second game sound is maintained or increased. The audio channels include three or more audio channels and the adjustment of the level of the audio channels is performed while the three or more audio channels are combined into two stereo channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Shobha Kuruba
  • Publication number: 20150148127
    Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for matching players of a game is provided. A game networking system receives a request to play a game against a second player outside of a social network of the first player. The game networking system sends the request to a second client device of the second player. The game networking system receives, from the second client device, an acceptance of the request to play the game. The game networking system generates a match associated with the game in response to the acceptance. The game networking system provides a communication channel between the first player and the second player in response to the match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Kapeesh Vinod Kumar Saraf, Reed Hobby Shaffner
  • Patent number: 9033799
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing audio in a bank of gaming machines, such as video slot and video poker machines. Audio tracks of a game may be provided to a plurality of gaming machines and synchronized. An audio track provided to one of the gaming machines may be changed to a second audio track, in response to receiving an indication of a status change for the game. The second audio track may be synchronized with the audio tracks provided to the other gaming machines in the plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Duane R. Decker, Nicholas B. Mayne, Lee E. Huber
  • Patent number: 9032307
    Abstract: Data defining an avatar is received over a network. A sprite sheet comprising a plurality of sprites is created, using the data defining the avatar. Each sprite includes a partial rendering of the respective avatar and at least one run-time parameter including a sprite attribute. A plurality of requests are received, over the network, for the avatar from a plurality of user applications. The data defining the avatar and the sprite sheet are transmitted, over the network, to each of the requesting user applications, enabling each respective user application to display the sprites in the sprite sheet and to set the run-time parameter associated with each of the sprites in the sprite sheet such that each respective sprite is thereby customized to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Seth R. Gerson, Philip D. Harvey, Susan E. Thayer
  • Patent number: 9011247
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting coordinated wagering game light and sound effects across multiple presentation devices in a casino. In some embodiments, the operations can trigger wagering game audio effects from lighting commands produced by network lighting controllers. The triggered audio can match characteristics of the light effects. The operations can include receiving, at a casino content presentation device, lighting data from a network lighting controller. The casino content presentation device associates the lighting data with a light effect and determines a sound effect, coupled with, or tied to, to, the light effect. The operations can further include presenting the sound effect on speakers associated with the casino content presentation device, and across other casino content presentation devices in the casino, as part of a casino-wide, synchronized, multi-media show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 9005023
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes selective application of surround sound. The selective application of surround sound allows certain key gaming events to be emphasized over other gaming events. The surround sound may be varied to produce certain effects, such as a tactile effect and a gradual building up of suspense and anticipation that increases player excitement and enjoyment. A surround sound decoder may be added in some embodiments to convert monophonic and stereo wagering games into surround sound. The surround sound may be implemented as true surround sound or as virtual surround sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James Bonney, Eric M. Pryzby
  • Publication number: 20150099583
    Abstract: An electronic device may be configurable to operate in a voice morphing mode, such as while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a player participating in an online multiplayer game via a game console. While operating in the voice morphing mode, the electronic device may be configured to modify particular audio (e.g., player chat) based on one or more parameter settings, corresponding to particular audio profile (e.g., corresponding to a particular character). The electronic device may initiate voice morphing based on command from the player, and/or based on a signal received by the electronic device, such as indicating a role of the player (e.g., the game character selected by and/or assigned to the player). Audio profiles and/or parameter settings may be preset, and may be stored for use thereof, such as in electronic device itself or in other location (e.g., the game console or a remote database).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Kulavik
  • Publication number: 20150099584
    Abstract: A gaming device, during play of a particular game, receives a plurality of audio channels carrying game sounds and determines whether a first of the game sounds overwhelms a second of the game sounds. In response to the determination, the gaming device adjusts a level of one or more of the audio channels such that perceptibility of the second game sound is improved relative to perceptibility of the first game sound prior to the adjustment, wherein for the adjustment, a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the first game sound is decreased while a level of one or more of the audio channels carrying the second game sound is maintained or increased. The audio channels include three or more audio channels and the adjustment of the level of the audio channels is performed while the three or more audio channels are combined into two stereo channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Shobha Kuruba
  • Patent number: 8998712
    Abstract: A game system includes a game apparatus, a first output device having a first display section and a first sound output section, and a second output device having a second display section and a second sound output section. In this system, a first sound signal to be output to the first sound output section and a second sound signal to be output to the second sound output section are generated based on the same sound data. When transmitting the two sound signals, the timing to transmit the first sound signal to the first sound section is delayed by a predetermined time with respect to the timing to transmit the second sound signal to the second audio section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junya Osada
  • Patent number: 8992328
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for playing a game with server transferring in an online game environment. The method includes: receiving identification information for login from a first client; transmitting online game environment information to the first client; performing an advance operation of the server transferring for a server transferring of a second client with an outside server; receiving data for playing the game transmitted from the outside server or the second client; transmitting a resulting data of game play, in which the received data is applied to the online game environment, to the outside server or the second client, which has transmitted the data for playing the game; and storing a result of an interaction generated between the first client and the second client in a game history of the first client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bluehole Studio, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Han Kim, Hyun Chul Kim, Hyun Gyu Park
  • Patent number: 8992315
    Abstract: Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more game objects (e.g., billiard game objects) in relation to a playing surface (e.g., a playing surface of a billiard table) defining a boundary of a field of play of a game involving use of the one or more game objects in the field of play. A graphical interface image is displayed on the playing surface. Whether the position data in relation to the displayed graphical interface image satisfies an input instruction predicate is determined. In response to a determination that the position data satisfies the input instruction predicate, the input instruction is executed on a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Obscura Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Niklas Lundback, Steve Mason, Michael Harville, Travis Threlkel
  • Patent number: 8986109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic gaming and/or gambling machine, in particular to a slot machine which is coin operable or is operable by monetary equivalents, comprising a display apparatus for the display of at least one game and optionally additional information, with the display apparatus having at least a first and a second screen on which at least one screen display, preferably a main game, and one second screen display, preferably a bonus game and/or additional information, can be displayed as well as a control panel for the actuation of the gaming and/or gambling machine. In accordance with the invention, the electronic gaming and/or gambling machine is characterized in that a switching device is provided which is actuable by a machine user by an input device for the switching of the first screen representation from the first screen to the second screen and of the second screen representation from the second screen to the first screen or to a further screen and/or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Novomatic AG
    Inventors: Johann F. Graf, Eduard Svoboda
  • Patent number: 8986090
    Abstract: An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ubisoft Entertainment
    Inventor: Joseph Charles Epstein
  • Patent number: 8974300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote play device for an interactive entertainment system and may include a class D amplifier and at least one motion detection device. The remote play device may also include a processor to adapt sound effects played through the class D amplifier based upon the at least one motion detection device. A battery may also be included powering at least the class D amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelici, Andrea Onetti
  • Publication number: 20150065248
    Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods comprise: an audio mixer; a game chat output interface configured to transmit game chat output audio from the apparatus; a mobile output interface configured to transmit mobile output audio from the apparatus; a microphone interface configured to receive microphone audio into the apparatus; and wherein, responsive to selection of a first mode, the audio mixer is configured to provide the game chat output audio based on the microphone audio; and wherein, responsive to selection of a second mode, the audio mixer is further configured to provide the mobile output audio based on the microphone audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua LaTendresse, Robert Foster, Nicholas Paterson, Carrianne Minick, Wei Hai
  • Publication number: 20150065249
    Abstract: An interactive amusement device and a method therefor are disclosed. The device plays a musical soundtrack in a first game iteration. A sequence of user input actions received during this learning mode is detected, and an output signal is generated in response. Timestamps for each of the user input actions is stored into memory. Additionally, the output signal is generated on at least one interval of the user input actions based on the stored timestamps, and is coordinated with the play back of a second musical soundtrack during a second game iteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: PETER SUI LUN FONG
  • Publication number: 20150057083
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an approach for wave-based sound propagation suitable for large, open spaces spanning hundreds of meters, with a small memory footprint. The scene is decomposed into disjoint rigid objects. The free-field acoustic behavior of each object is captured by a compact per-object transfer-function relating the amplitudes of a set of incoming equivalent sources to outgoing equivalent sources. Pairwise acoustic interactions between objects are cornuted analytically, yielding compact inter-object transfer functions. The global sound field accounting for all orders of interaction is computed using these transfer functions. The runtime system uses fast summation over the outgoing equivalent source amplitudes for all objects to auralize the sound field at a moving listener in real-time. We demonstrate realistic acoustic effects such as diffraction, low-passed sound behind obstructions, focusing, scattering, high-order reflections, and echoes, on a variety of scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ravish Mehra, Dinesh Manocha
  • Patent number: 8951118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of remarkably improving an effect given to a player. The gaming machine according to the present invention is provided with: a cabinet having a display portion for making a display according to the contents of a game played; a plurality of speakers 112A to 112D which are provided at their appropriate positions which are different from each other in height; and a control means for positionally changing a sound image of a sound that is outputted from a respective one of the speakers 112A to 112D, whereby a plurality of speakers 112A to 112D are provided at a top and a bottom of the gaming machine. A variety of effects exerted by means of sound can be provided in such a manner as if a position of a sound source were changed by positionally changing the sound image of the sound that is outputted from a respective one of these speakers 112A to 112D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Noda
  • Publication number: 20150038229
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Reiche, Ray West
  • Publication number: 20150038228
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for new features and functionality of slot-style games. In some embodiments, one or more music components, music-related game objects and/or other types of musical features may be integrated into a game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory John Howson