Hand Manipulated (e.g., Keyboard, Mouse, Touch Panel, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/37)
  • Patent number: 9713768
    Abstract: The present invention is a game controller including a housing; a plurality of game controls disposed on a first side of the housing; a lever disposed on a second side of the housing; a first switch configured to contact a first end region of the lever; and a second switch configured to contact a second end region of the lever, wherein the lever is configured to pivot between a neutral position in which the lever returns when no force is applied thereon, a first position in which the first switch is activated and a second position in which the second switch is activated. In another aspect, a lever assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Lawrence King Uy, Weiming Gabriel Chan, Zizhong Yu
  • Patent number: 9710996
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for providing a gesture input interface. In some embodiments, a 3-dimensional display of a game is rendered by a gaming system, where at least one game component is projected out of a screen of a display device and into a 3-dimensional space between the screen and a player. The gaming system may receive, from at least one contactless sensor device, location information indicative of a location of at least one anatomical feature of the player. The gaming system may analyze the location information indicative of the location of the at least one anatomical feature of the player in conjunction with a state of the game to identify an input command associated with the at least one game component, and may cause an action to be taken in the game, the action being determined based on the input command associated with the at least one game component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Stefan Keilwert, Fayez Idris
  • Patent number: 9704412
    Abstract: A universal 6-DOF mems sensor combined with six degree of motion algorithms and human motion parameters permits individualized real time motion analysis of a user to enable accurate measurements. Data derived thereby is wirelessly sent for viewing to a Bluetooth® enabled smartphone or combination smartphone and eyeglass device, marketed as the Google Glass® headset. The sensor is worn on a wrist or ankle band or in combination with a chest mounted cardio heart rate monitor dependent on the biometric parameters measured. Typical physical exercise data gathered includes reps, sets, 10-100 yard dash times, vertical, horizontal and broad jump distances, a range of shuttle times, RAST, steps taken, distance traveled, velocity, acceleration, and calories burned. The heart rate monitor provides cardio assessment and the 6-DOF sensor measures a runner's pace and cadence data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: John Andrew Wells, Michael Cummings
  • Patent number: 9696793
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that may be implemented to selectably suppress computing input events that are generated for an information handling system based on output signals received from a variable pressure or displacement (VPD) sensor that correspond to one or more pressure or displacement zones defined for the VPD sensor. Using the disclosed systems and methods, computing input events based on sensor output signals from one or more given VPD sensing zones may be selectably suppressed and/or withheld during sensor pressure or displacement changes from further host system processing according to a time delay, e.g., as a function of the elapsed time taken for a user to depress or release a given VPD sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Carlos L. Ross, Danae Sierra, Eyzen Medina, Alonzo F. Seay
  • Patent number: 9636577
    Abstract: A trigger attachment for a game controller having a housing, a trigger extending through the housing with an exposed contact surface and operable through a trigger range of motion between a zero position and an end position, and an additional button spaced from the trigger by a housing spacer. The trigger attachment has an attachment body defining a recess with a receiving face shaped to mate with the finger contact surface of the trigger, a sloped outer front surface, an upper surface, and a lower housing contact surface. The attachment body is sized and shaped to be mounted on the trigger with the trigger's receiving face against the finger contact surface. When mounted on the trigger, the lower housing contact surface is positioned to abut the housing when the trigger is pressed to reduce the trigger range of motion by preventing the trigger from fully achieving the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: T Antonio
  • Patent number: 9582563
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of log entries. The method includes receiving one or more criteria. The one or more criteria are applicable to the plurality of log entries. The method includes generating a dimensional data structure. The dimensional data structure is defined in a dimension for each of the one or more criteria. The method includes loading the plurality of log entries into the dimensional data structure based on the one or more criteria. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Chen, Wei Huang, Yan Fang Ji, Bo Tian, Bei Bei Xu, Miao Zhang, Zi Qing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9561432
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing user control of objects or vehicles simulated in a simulated environment or virtual world are described herein. The user control may include various types of touch controls that may be used by a player to move the object or vehicle in a direction and/or at a velocity. The user, in some embodiments, may be able to select which type of touch control is used in the user interface. In some arrangements, the touch control may include a touch zone arrangement that can be changed based on a condition of the virtual world or a player interaction with a user interface. Additionally, in some embodiments, the user control may include one or more controls for removing one or more statuses that may be received by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wargaming.net LIMITED
    Inventors: Alexey Alexeev, Stepan Drozd
  • Patent number: 9558618
    Abstract: A gaming machine, such as a video slot or video poker machine, may be configured to use a message-oriented protocol. An application on the gaming machine may request subscription to a topic managed by a message broker. The application may receive a message published to the topic by another application and alter its execution in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Erik B. Petersen, Kevin Higgins, David L. Kern, Jr., Russell Klenk, Danny Miles, William Chad Little
  • Patent number: 9532633
    Abstract: The present invention is a cover system for a device that includes a base with outer and inner surfaces. The outer surface includes a plurality of polygonal recesses, each having a bottom and a plurality of side walls with wall surfaces. Each one of the polygonal recesses has at least one wall in common with at least one other recess. The invention also includes one or more polygonal inserts with, each polygonal insert having a cap with two sides and a first stem extending from one side of the cap. The stem is shaped to form a friction fit when inserted into a recess. Some stems may include an o-ring that fits into a groove extending along all wall surface of a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Chee K. Tan, Yannie K. Tan
  • Patent number: 9504910
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first peripheral device having a controller to store operational settings tailored for a gaming application, interact with the gaming application using the operational settings and user inputs, and share the operational settings with a second peripheral device for use with the gaming application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Michael Aronzon, Bruce Hawver, Kim Rom
  • Patent number: 9498709
    Abstract: A first control unit includes a first operation data generation section for generating first operation data in accordance with a motion of a first control unit body included in the first control unit. A second control unit includes a second operation data generation section for generating second operation data in accordance with a direction input operation performed by a player or a motion of a second control unit body included in the second control unit. Further, one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes a transmission section for transmitting the first operation data and the second operation data to a computer at a predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9446311
    Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a method of controlling a user interface responsive to user input with a displayed game board comprising a plurality of object positions on said interface, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a device in communication with said interface and at least one memory: displaying a game board having a plurality of first and second game objects displayed on said game board positions, each first and second object having one or more characteristics stored in said at least one memory, the second game objects having a third characteristic, detecting an input trajectory comprising a selection of a sequence of one or more neighbouring first game objects sharing at least one same characteristic in response to user input, determining a target direction comprising a portion of said input trajectory with respect to the game board, and generating a further game object having a movement vector comprising said target direction in dependence on said portio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Johannes Barte, Calle Stodberg, Robin Brook, Sebastien Bellanger
  • Patent number: 9440147
    Abstract: A controller to which a second controller is connected arranges, based on predetermined integrated scenario information defining a first input region allotted for the controller and a second input region allotted for the second controller within data regions for packet input data, operation input data corresponding to an operation input from a user in the first input region, and data based on extended input data obtained from an extension apparatus in the second input region, generates packet input data, and transmits it to a device main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Hamada
  • Patent number: 9436426
    Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nogami, Tomoaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9436297
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for remote-controlling a target apparatus using a mobile communication terminal. A communication link is established with the target apparatus having a display screen adapted to visualize an object. An amount of displacement of the mobile communication terminal is detected. Motion information is generated using the amount of displacement of the mobile communication terminal. The motion information is transmitted to the target apparatus. The motion information corresponds to movement data of the object and the amount of displacement is detected based on at least one of current position information, acceleration information and angular velocity information of the mobile communication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyeok Cha, Tae-Jeong Bae
  • Patent number: 9381435
    Abstract: A controller for providing input to an application is provided, including: a main body; a first handle extending from the main body, the first handle defined for holding by a first hand of a user; a second handle extending from the main body, the second handle defined for holding by a second hand of a user; a touch panel disposed along a top surface of the main body; a translucent panel defined along a front side of the main body; and a light defined in the main body for illuminating the translucent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakayama, Ennin Huang, Nathan Gary
  • Patent number: 9370717
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining first and second stimulus signals from first and second input functions of first and second gaming equipment devices used by first and second users to control a video game. A first contest between the first and second users is based on first and second game action results determined based on the first and second stimulus signals. A relative performance between the first and second users is determined from a comparison of first and second measures of the first and second stimulus signals. A second contest between the first user and the second user is based on the relative performance. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Kim Rom, Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Jacob Wolff-Petersen, Bruce Hawver, Francis Arnold Grever, Tino Soelberg, Christopher John Nicolella
  • Patent number: 9367133
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for providing physical feedback in a handheld electronic controller. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can allow a handheld controller in an electronic system to provide a shock force or impact force to a user of the controller. In one exemplary embodiment, the controller can be configured to provide the shock or impact force in correspondence with a virtual shock force or impact force in an entertainment system in communication with the controller being controlled by the user. The actual shock force or impact force can be directionally imparted to the controller such that the user feels the actual shock force or impact force in a same direction as the virtual shock force or impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fusanobu Nakamura, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9360943
    Abstract: An image display device is provided. The image display device comprises a speaker, a camera for receiving a user's gesture, and a controller for outputting sound of the speaker to the user's position. Thereby, feedback for a gesture of the image display device can be efficiently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soungsoo Park, Sangki Kim, Yongwon Cho, Soungmin Im
  • Patent number: 9361766
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is programmed to randomly increment during game play a bonus-time eligibility counter for a community bonus game, decrement the bonus-time eligibility counter as real time progresses, and render a player eligible to play the community bonus game if the bonus-time eligibility counter is greater than zero when a community bonus game is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Benjamin T. Gomez, James V. Palermo
  • Patent number: 9308441
    Abstract: An example game system accepts, as a first input, a predetermined game operation performed before the game control process. The attitude of the controller device when the first input was made is set as the tentative reference attitude. After the first input, the game system further accepts, as an additional input, a predetermined game operation performed in a state where the attitude of the controller device is within a predetermined range defined by the tentative reference attitude. In response to a predetermined number of additional inputs, the reference attitude is determined using at least one of the tentative reference attitude and attitudes of the controller device when the predetermined number of additional inputs were made. The game control process is executed based on the attitude of the controller device and the reference attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Akifusa, Toshikazu Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 9308442
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods use a video game controller to edit videos down to clips. A game controller may include a variety of elements (e.g., thumb-sticks, buttons) configured to provide inputs. Inputs may be received simultaneously from multiple controller elements. The inputs may be used to simultaneously update terminal points for a clip being selected from a video. The controller elements may be thumb-sticks. In one embodiment, the associations between which thumb-stick will be used to control a starting frame and which thumb-stick will be used to control an ending frame may be user-configurable. Similarly, the elements on the controller that are used to provide the two simultaneous inputs may be user-configurable. The video from which the clip is being clipped may have been generated by a video game played on a video game console as controlled by the game controller that will also edit the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: David Mondelore
  • Patent number: 9303960
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic target for use with a pulsed beam of laser light. The electronic target may include a housing, which includes a window and a solar cell. The solar cell may be disposed in the window for receiving a pulsed beam of light that may be emitted from a gun barrel or simulated weapon. The beam of light may have a predominant wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and 650 nm, as well as a pulse duration of between 1 ms and 50 ms, and a pulse modulation frequency of approximately 2 KHz. The electronic target may be tuned to the emission characteristics of the beam of light. The electronic target may be used to count a user's consecutive hits, drill how quickly a user can place a shot of laser light on the electronic target, and simulate a magazine change or burst shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Oren Uhr
  • Patent number: 9303989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing 3D imaging. The system comprises: a) two or more cameras for allowing to generate stereoscopic information only for selected regions in a common or coincident field of view captured simultaneously by both of said two cameras, in order to provide distance measurements information to object(s) located in said selected regions; b) at least one 3DLR module for providing 3D image, wherein said two cameras and said 3DLR module are positioned in such a way that, at least partially, they will be able to capture similar or coincident field of view information; and c) a processing unit for generating said 3D imaging according to said stereoscopic information and said 3D image by using image processing algorithm(s) in order to provide 3D imaging information in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
    Inventors: Youval Nehmadi, Hugo Guterman
  • Patent number: 9295919
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a smart ping mechanism are presented. For example, an example embodiment may generate a game board on a first client device and a second client device. Then, the embodiment may detect, from the first client device, user activation of a smart ping mechanic. Responsive to detecting the user activation, the embodiment may generate, on the first client device, one or more user selectable communication artifacts based at least in part on contextual data derived from the game board. Then, responsive to detecting a user selection of one of the user selectable communication artifacts, the embodiment may surface the selected communication artifact to the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Maynard, Jason C. Leong, Cameron McNeil
  • Patent number: 9299222
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a Pai Gow gaming table (352) is equipped with a system (460) that implements real-time tracking of gaming tiles (366) to mitigate risk of dealer or player cheating behavior during game play. Each gaming tile has a machine-readable tile identifying tag. The gaming table has a playing surface (350) that includes a pre-assigned woodpile position (358) and multiple pre-assigned player positions (54). Multiple woodpile position tile tag identification readers (362) configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in the pre-assigned woodpile position. Multiple player position tile tag identification readers (360) operatively associated with different ones of the pre-assigned player positions and configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in associated ones of the pre-assigned player positions. A controller (68, 464) operatively associated with the tile tag identification readers performs during game play real-time tracking of movement of the gaming tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fortis, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua K. Hoyt, Forrest S. Seitz, Eduard Vaynberg
  • Patent number: 9286749
    Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes; a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and is a display displaying an effect image regarding a game; a lamp body which is three-dimensionally formed and is a formed object provided on the cabinet to protrude toward the front surface as compared to at least the lower end of the upper image display panel; a sensor configured to detect the player' gesture with respect to the lamp body; a controller used to start the game, and the controller detects the player's gesture by the sensor at a timing corresponding to the state of the game and displays an effect image corresponding to the detected player's gesture on the upper image display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenji Enokido, Kou Kobayashi, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9275244
    Abstract: Provided is an authentication apparatus that, in case of showing an inputted password as an unrecognizable state, shows it a recognizable state with maintaining confidentiality according to operation by a user. The password inputted by the user is shown on a password input area as the unrecognizable state, such as “*.” While a password peripheral region is pushed by the user along with a password input area, a control part changes the password from the unrecognizable state, where a displaying condition of the password shown on password viewing area being hidden by “*,” into the recognizable state, and the inputted password itself are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Nakaizawa
  • Patent number: 9259644
    Abstract: As an example, a value obtained by adding the magnitudes of a plurality of angular velocities around respective axes indicated by angular velocity data obtained from an input device including gyroscopic sensors, is used to calculate a rotation parameter indicating a rotation amount. A predetermined object which is rotated, depending on the rotation amount corresponding to the rotation parameter, is displayed on a display device. As another example, when it is determined, based on the angular velocity data, that the attitude of the input device is stable, a stability flag which indicates that the attitude of the input device has been at least once stable is set and updated to ON. When there is an input device whose stability flag is OFF, the aforementioned determination is performed and a screen including a result of the determination is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Souichi Nakajima, Kenichi Nishida, Yoshikazu Yamashita, Takayuki Shimamura
  • Patent number: 9251701
    Abstract: A control device includes a housing. The control device also includes a wireless communicator interior the housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly sends commands for controlling an electronic device, such as a game console. The control device also includes a reflector positioned to reflect light directed at the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Vijay Baiyya, Tommer Leyvand, Susan Shuchen Song
  • Patent number: 9250688
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed for adaptive graphics subsystem power and performance management including adjusting one or more power management or performance attributes for a graphics subsystem for a computing platform based on a comparison of a current quality metric to a target quality metric. The current and target quality metric to be separately determined based on current and target quality of service (QoS) values for power management and performance for at least portions of the computing platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nithyananda S. Jeganathan, Rajesh Poornachandran
  • Patent number: 9233307
    Abstract: A fully automatic simulation system for an input device permits storage in advance of executable applications and associated simulation setting flies into a database, and then combination of the detection, automatic data searching and matching, transmission and conversion, enabling rapid and convenient operation by the users, whenever they operate various applications or whether they adopt a keyboard, mouse or joystick as the simulation controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Innomind Solution Company Limited
    Inventors: Hsing-Yuan Shen, Chun-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9207718
    Abstract: A portable electronic device 100 includes a horizontally long casing, both ends of which are gripped by a user's both hands, respectively. The device further includes a LCD fit into the front face of the casing 10. Outwardly projecting bulges are respectively formed at both sides of the rear face of the casing where fingers of the user gripping the casing 10 placed. Since the fingers and palms are naturally flexed to fit to the dome-like bulges 42L, 42R, the portable electronic device 100 fits comfortably in the user's hands. The operability is hard to be degraded even if the device is vibrated strongly during a game play with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Shinichi Ogasawara, Masayasu Ito, Hajime Ishihara, Nobutoshi Hamada, Shuuichi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9208646
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more objects in a wheel-based game. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the one or more wheel positions. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the one or more wheel positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CADILLAC JACK, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Rakestraw, Donald Rollo
  • Patent number: 9189085
    Abstract: A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, a click-event detection module coupled to the key to detect actuation thereof on first, second, and third detection axes via an inertial sensing circuit elastically coupled to a casing with a board, the inertial-sensor circuit structured to be carried on the board so as to oscillate and to rotate about the second detection axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianluca Pedrazzini, Enrico Chiesa, Fabio Pasolini
  • Patent number: 9189090
    Abstract: The present invention features determining, from a plurality of actions, an action event corresponding to multiple segments of input data received from a computer input device, defining a corresponding action, based upon an order in which the multiple segments of input are received. Access is provided to the event through a program interface. Also disclosed is a system that carries-out the functions of the method, as well as a computer-program product includes computer-readable instructions that causes a processor of a computer system to carry-out the functions of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: salesforce.com, inc.
    Inventor: Jay Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9186586
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which can be communicated via a network and functions as a parent machine and as a child machine, for example. In the child machine, a moving track of an object to be operated is obtained in response to an input with a pointing device by a player, and transmitted to the parent machine. In the parent machine, a movement of the object is controlled by the moving track, and drawing information to draw a virtual game space including the moved object is transmitted to the child machine. In the child machine, a game screen including the object to be operated is generated and displayed on the basis of the received drawing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Shirou Mouri
  • Patent number: 9174131
    Abstract: A user interface processing apparatus for controlling an application is provided. In the user interface processing apparatus, a touch on a display screen by means of a contact operation by a user on a touch panel is received. A touched position on the touch panel is detected when the touch on the display screen is received. The touched position is a position touched by the player on the display screen. A virtual controller is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen corresponding to the detected touched position in a case where the touch on the display screen is received. An operation of the virtual controller displayed on the display screen is received from the player. The application is controlled in accordance with the operation received from the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Kouichi Shirasaka, Takao Suzuki, Okinori Yasuta, Takehiro Ando, Hidetoshi Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 9174124
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling a game with a mobile touch-enabled device. A thumbstick and a mode selection button can be rendered on a display of the mobile touch-enabled device. The thumbstick can be rendered on a reassignable area of the display and the mode selection button can be rendered on a mode selection area of the display. A touch (e.g., drag) from the mode selection area to the reassignable area can be detected, and an operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a depressed height in response to the touch in the reassignable area while the touch is detected without discontinuity of contact from starting the drag. Further, upon detecting discontinuation of the touch, a different operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a default height in response to a subsequent touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Monty Lee Hammontree, Tyler Edward Gibson, Emmanuel John Athans
  • Patent number: 9178712
    Abstract: Various embodiments for remote presentation of an interface of a computing device, such as a PC, are described herein. In particular, in various illustrated embodiments, a local device such as a Digital Media Adapter (DMA), mobile device, cellular telephone, etc. may be used to receive input from a remote control, where the local device provides human perceptible feedback, such as a sound, visual response, etc., responsive to use of the remote control. In some embodiments, the local device may contain a memory or cache for locally storing particular feedback data for human perceptible feedback. In various embodiments, a communication protocol is provided for storing, triggering, deleting, etc. feedback data in the memory or cache. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ylian Saint-Hilaire, Bryan Y. Roe, Nelson F. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9174119
    Abstract: A controller provides inputs to control execution of a program by combining controller input information and supplementary information utilizing a value of a first one of the controller input information or the supplementary input information as a modifying input to the game program for modifying a mapping or gearing of an input controlling a still active function activated in accordance with at least one of a second one of the controller input information or the supplementary input information or vice versa. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainement America, LLC
    Inventors: Gary M. Zalewski, Richard L. Marks, Xiaodong Mao
  • Patent number: 9162148
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique play experience carried out utilizing an interactive “wand” and/or other seemingly magical actuation/tracking device. The wand or other actuation device allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment(s), thereby giving play participants the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside one or more compatible play environments, to achieve desired goals, master certain magical spells and/or produce desired seemingly magical effects within the play environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MQ Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
  • Patent number: 9144744
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern an improved immersive experience for a video gamer that is provided by controlling a game based on the three dimensional location and orientation of a control and display device held by or otherwise associated with the gamer. The location is determined from data comprising a three dimensional position and an orientation of a portion of a player in a three dimensional space associated with a computerized game. The facing and rotation of the device is determined as a function of both the location of the device and the orientation of the device. The orientation may be determined by data from motion sensors in or on the device. Example apparatus and methods control the computerized game based, at least in part, on the position of the device, the facing of the device, and the rotation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Langlois, Ed Pinto, Marcelo Lopez Ruiz, Todd Manion, Zsolt Mathe
  • Patent number: 9142082
    Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a multi-action switch that is held in an initial position when the multi-action switch is not being pressed, and a position detection device for detecting whether the multi-action switch is in a first position, a second position, or a third position. The gaming machine further includes a controller for controlling operations of the gaming machine in accordance with the position of the multi-action switch, such that the gaming machine carries out a first operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the first position, a second operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the second position, and a third operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Cuddy, Mike Oberberger
  • Patent number: 9134827
    Abstract: A processing system for an input device includes a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a determination module. The transmitter module is configured to simultaneously drive a first end of a transmitter electrode with a first drive signal and drive a second end of the transmitter electrode with a second drive signal to produce a voltage gradient across the transmitter electrode, wherein the first drive signal and the second drive signal are mathematically independent. The receiver module is configured to receive a resulting signal with a receiver electrode, the resulting signal comprising effects of the voltage gradient. The determination module is configured to determine positional information for an input object based on the resulting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Small
  • Patent number: 9120015
    Abstract: An electronic device (1) has hold parts (1R, 1L) constituting respective right and left side parts of the electronic device 1 and being available to be held by a user. Operating sticks (3R, 3L) are provided on the respective hold parts (1R, 1L). A rear touch panel (21) is provided on the rear surface of the electronic device (1). The rear touch panel (21) is provided in at least an area located further upward than a positions P opposite from the operation sticks (3R, 3L). This layout of the rear touch panel (21) allows a user to smoothly operate the rear touch panel (21) while holding the hold parts of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Sakakibara, Takashi Sogabe, Kazuya Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9095777
    Abstract: Direction obtaining means (72) obtains pressing-force information relating to pressing forces applied respectively to the plurality of depression units. In a case where a first depression unit and a second depression unit are pressed, the direction obtaining means (72) obtains a direction between a first basic direction and a second basic direction based on pressing forces applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit. The direction obtained by the direction obtaining means (72) in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed changes based on the pressing forces applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit. Processing executing means (74) executes processing based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ippei Kondo
  • Patent number: 9087660
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a switch mechanism of which key top portion can be tilted with a simple mechanism. The switch mechanism includes a housing portion, a key top portion arranged such that a partial surface thereof is exposed at a peripheral portion of the housing portion, and a switch portion which is arranged in the inside of the housing portion and can be pressed in response to pressing of the partial surface of the key top portion. The housing portion includes a side support portion which tilts the key top portion by supporting the key top portion from a side when the partial surface of the key top portion is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Munetaka Nishikawa, Kumpei Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150149668
    Abstract: A combination generally directed to a combination computing device and game controller. The computing device provides a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The game controller provides a communication port interacting with the computing device, the communication port providing a communication link and a pair of confinement structures, the pair of confinement structures adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, and an input device attached to and in electronic communication with the communication port. The input device is a separate and distinct structure from the communication port, forming no structural portion of the communication port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew R. Joynes, Fraser Townley, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 9039526
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of transparent displays for gaming machines and, more particularly, to placement of a single transparent or partially transparent display between two facing gaming machines for common play of a shared gaming machine feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Hilbert