Pivotally-translatable Handle (e.g., Joystick, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/38)
  • Patent number: 8574050
    Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Osnato, Nicholas Howard, Gary Collins
  • Patent number: 8574069
    Abstract: A hand-held game apparatus and a game program are provided which allow a user to play a game while going back and forth between two kinds of maps, namely, a narrow-range map and a broad-range map game, and arbitrarily change the displayed state of at least one of the broad-range map and the narrow-range map by manipulating a touch panel which is mounted on a liquid crystal display section for displaying the broad-range map. If the player manipulates the touch panel to point to a coordinate position on the broad-range map, thus designating coordinates for a narrow-range map to display, an image of the narrow-range map, which is changed as desired, is displayed. If the player indicates a moving direction on the broad-range map, thus designating a scroll direction, the broad-range map is moved (scrolled).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Miyamoto, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20130281212
    Abstract: A both-handed game controller having grips is provided. A stick is provided at each of an upper left position and an upper right position viewed from a front surface of the controller, so that a player is allowed to operate the sticks with his/her thumbs when the player holds the grips. A direction key and a plurality of first type operation buttons are provided at positions inside the sticks, so that the player is allowed to operate them with the thumbs. Further, a second type operation button is provided between the two sticks, and a third type operation button is provided between the direction key and the plurality of first type operation buttons. Further, fourth type operation buttons are provided at both ends of an upper surface of the controller, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tsuchiya, Yasuhisa Kitano
  • Patent number: 8562435
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting that a gaming system has presented a first of a plurality of gaming venue states of a game, presenting a first of a plurality of screen shots at a touch screen display responsive to detecting the first gaming venue state, detecting that the gaming system has transitioned to a presentation of a second of the plurality of venue states, and presenting a second of the plurality of screen shots at the touch screen display responsive to detecting the second gaming venue state. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Steelseries ApS
    Inventors: Tino Soelberg, Michael Aronzon
  • Patent number: 8562437
    Abstract: A keyboard includes allotment keys to which the functions of operation buttons of a game controller are assigned, a pointing stick, and an Fn key. When the pointing stick is operated with the Fn key being operated, the keyboard outputs an operation signal of an analog stick of the game controller. When an allotment key is operated with the Fn key being operated, the keyboard outputs an operation signal of an operation button of the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Motohiro Matsuda, Shinichi Takeyama
  • Patent number: 8556720
    Abstract: An interactive computerized game system including a visual display, one or more user input devices, and a processor executing software that interacts with the display and input device(s) is disclosed. The software displays images of avatars. At least one of the user input devices is a touchscreen. During gameplay, the gameplayer may touch the touchscreen to provide input. An animation is displayed in response to user input matching a predefined input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Viner, Stephen Jarret
  • Patent number: 8556721
    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: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Steelseries APS
    Inventors: Michael Aronzon, Bruce Hawver, Kim Rom
  • Publication number: 20130267322
    Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods for gripping controllers for use with portable computing devices are described herein. In various embodiments, a system for gripping controllers for use with portable computing devices includes two gripping controllers. Each gripping controller includes a top portion having a face with an input controller arranged to receive input from a user, a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, and a radio antenna. Each gripping controller clamps onto a side of the portable computing device. At least one gripping controller communicates the received input from one or both gripping controllers to the portable computing device via the radio antenna using a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Paul South
  • Patent number: 8550915
    Abstract: A video game controller for a video game and a receptor assembly may include a controller core unit including a housing formed with a top, bottom and opposite sides, at least the top having a plurality of control buttons thereon; and a base portion provided with a first connector; a receptor having a shape substantially similar to a component appearing in the video game. The receptor may be a gun-shaped sub-unit with a barrel portion and a gripper portion with an open slot adapted to receive the core unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ashida, Junji Takamoto, Masato Ibuki, Shinji Yamamoto, Daisuke Kumazaki, Fumiyoshi Suetake, Akiko Suga
  • Patent number: 8550905
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing thermal feedback are presented. In one embodiment, a controller for interfacing with an interactive program includes an outer surface having a plurality of first surface regions and one or more second surface regions. The second surface regions are arranged in an alternating and adjacent fashion with the first surface regions. A heating source is coupled to the plurality of first surface regions, and a cooling source is coupled to the second surface regions. A thermal controller is provided for determining when to activate the heating source to heat the first surface regions and when to activate the cooling source to cool the second surface regions, based on thermal trigger data generated by the interactive program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 8545323
    Abstract: A compact game controller incorporates an efficient and compact force feedback mechanism. Forces are generated at one of the controls of the controller in reaction to an action in a video game. The type of controller that can be held with two hands is limited in terms of size and internal space and in wireless versions is limited in terms of battery power. Efficient power consumption in the controller enables considerable usage time between battery replacement or recharging in wireless versions. The force feedback mechanism incorporates a double reduction gear system with a unique geometry which enables usage of a compact and energy efficient motor. The efficient force feedback mechanism and assembly can therefore be packaged within a compact ergonomic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: David Neil McVicar, Vance Alan Prather, David Ernest Wegmuller
  • Patent number: 8545322
    Abstract: A device for providing a proximity sensing touchless display to a gaming machine is provided. The device includes a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and a touchless input interface coupled to the processor and being implemented by the display for receiving input from the player. The input interface employs proximity sensing technology, such as but not limited to proximity button activation. For example, the display can be operable to sense a player's approaching finger entering an electrical field (e.g., corresponding to one or more electrodes) such that a particular button or function on the interface can be activated without the player's finger having to ever physically contact a button, push pad, keypad, touch screen, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey George, Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup
  • Patent number: 8540573
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Champagne, Shigeki Yamashiro, Shigeru Miyamoto, Claude Comair
  • Patent number: 8542105
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, David M. Birnbaum, Hendrik Bartel, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel
  • Patent number: 8535133
    Abstract: A video game system is operable to receive user touch location information while a first user is holding a game controller and to determine a first user ID for the first user based upon the user touch location information. Thereafter, the video game system is operable to measure an instant acceleration of the game controller, to compare the instant acceleration to a first threshold value and to lock the game controller for use by the first user corresponding to the first user ID based on the comparison of the instant acceleration and the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Qiang Fu
  • Patent number: 8535155
    Abstract: An inclination of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and an inclination of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from the first unit. A difference between the inclinations of the first unit and the second unit is detected, and game control is performed using the detected difference. Thus, with a game apparatus using a plurality of acceleration sensors or a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a motion or a posture, a dynamic play is made possible with a high degree of freedom of motion and an intuitive motion input is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Koizumi, Takeshi Hayakawa, Norihiro Aoyagi, Seiki Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8531407
    Abstract: An input apparatus includes: a display plate having a plurality of display sections; an electrostatic touch panel provided at a lower face of the display plate; an operation body on which the display plate and the electrostatic touch panel are placed; a plurality of light-emitting elements for illuminating the plurality of display sections of the display plate from a lower side of the display plate through the electrostatic touch panel; and a control section that is electrically connected to the electrostatic touch panel and the plurality of light-emitting elements, and that controls light emission of the plurality of light-emitting elements in accordance with touch operation to the electrostatic touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporatin
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Hitokazu Shitanaka, Kouichi Santo
  • Patent number: 8523675
    Abstract: A game controller comprising: a hand-held base unit comprising one or more base unit actuators, each configured to generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input; and a module comprising two or more module actuators, each configured to generate a respective actuation signal in response to user input. The module is mounted to the base unit and can be rotated horizontally between two or more orientations to adjust the configuration of the module actuators relative to the base unit actuator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mad Catz Europe Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Brian Young, Robert Ian Hall, Stephen Thomas Bright
  • Patent number: 8517839
    Abstract: An example game apparatus stores a state of a game during execution as execution state information in a memory, and stores a captured image of the game screen by bringing it into correspondence with the execution state information in the memory. Furthermore, during execution of the game, the captured image is displayed on a lower LCD while the game screen is displayed on an upper LCD. In a state that the game screen and the captured image are thus displayed, a selecting operation from a user is accepted. Then, by using the execution state information which is brought into correspondence with the captured image selected in response to a selecting operation, the state of the game is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruki Murakawa, Masahiro Kawano, Kenta Tanaka, Ken Kato
  • Patent number: 8517836
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides an interactive gaming system comprising at least one tile, each tile comprising a pressure sensor, a controller being for generating a control signal associated with the pressure exerted on the tile and tile communicator for wirelessly sending the control signal to a control unit. The system further comprises a control unit comprising control unit communicator arranged for wirelessly receiving the control signal from a tile, a game controller comprising a game memory and an interpreter for interpreting the control signal in the light of a stored game and a signal generator for generating signals associated with the interpreted control signal. A tile further comprises an orientation sensor for identifying on which side of the tile the pressure is exerted. In one aspect the present invention provides a more versatile gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Lucas Jacobus Franciscus Geurts, Vincentius Paulus Buil, Rik Remco Wesselink, Bas Groenendaal
  • Patent number: 8512152
    Abstract: A game apparatus has an upper housing and a lower housing which are foldable. A first part, a second part, and a third part constitute the upper housing. A fourth part, a fifth part, and a sixth part constitute the lower housing. By assembling the parts, the game apparatus comes to have a three-layered structure when folded, thereby enhancing operability, a degree of freedom of design, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yui Ehara, Junichiro Miyatake, Hiroki Goto, Kochi Kawai, Satoshi Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8508477
    Abstract: An input apparatus that moves an instruction sign displayed on a display device to any position, the display device being connected to an information processing apparatus, including: an operation portion that includes a magnet, and operates the movement of the instruction sign; a restoration portion that is composed of an elastic member, supports the operation portion, and restores the operation portion to a reference position when the operation portion has inclined; magnetic members that are arranged at maximum displacement positions of the operation portion where an attractive force of the magnet exceeds the restoring force of the restoration portion; a detection portion that detects an inclined direction and an inclined angle of the operation portion; and an output portion that outputs the inclined direction and the inclined angle detected by the detection portion to the information processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Yuba
  • Patent number: 8500534
    Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes the steps of displaying a selectable game element on a display and associating each potential outcome associated with the selectable game element with a predetermined haptic output selected from a plurality of predetermined haptic device outputs. The method also includes the steps of selecting the selectable game element to reveal an outcome associated therewith and causing a haptic device to output the predetermined haptic output corresponding to the outcome of the selectable game element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Alfred Thomas, Gene Rigsby, Gilbert J. Q. Burak
  • Patent number: 8502769
    Abstract: A universal input device to attach to a target of a user, including a motion detector to detect motion of the target, a contact detector to detect types of contacts with the target, a controller to generate position data corresponding to the motion and control data, including mode setting data to set a mode of the device, corresponding to the types of the contacts, a communicator which transmits the position and the control data to an external host device, and a casing, accommodating the motion detector, the contact detector, the communicator, and the controller, into which the target is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-duck Kim
  • Patent number: 8500559
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided that determines an operation result based on a player's input operation with respect to an operation instruction and comprises: an operating unit that is divided into a plurality of subregions and that has at least one input region formed from some or all of the subregions; a region display pattern table 333 that, for each game difficulty level, stores a region display pattern that assigns a specific input region to each of the subregions; an input region forming unit 325 that reads out the region display pattern that accords with the game difficulty level from the storing unit and forms the input region in the operating unit based on the region display pattern that was read out; and a determining unit 324 that determines the operation result based on the operation instruction given to the player and the input region wherein the player's input operation is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Masuda, Masanori Kono, Yoshito Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8493325
    Abstract: A reconfigurable user input device for use with an electronic video apparatus, such as a video game console, educational console or computer suitable for use by both left and right handed users. The multifunction user device further includes a base housing, a first input device and a second input device separated by a rotatable arm member mounted upon the base housing. A rotation mechanism is affixed between the rotatable arm member and the base housing permitting the arm member to rotate about a center axis to, in turn, permit the first input device and second input device to be respectively located alternatively to the left side or the right side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Stephine Mak Pui See, Donny Leung Chi Kit
  • Patent number: 8493355
    Abstract: Matrix-based touch input systems assess touch locations of two or more temporally overlapping touch inputs by forming valid x-y coordinate pairs from independently determined x- and y-coordinates. Valid x-y pairs are formed based on comparing one or more signal parameters such as signal magnitude, signal strength, signal width, and signal rates of change. In matrix capacitive systems where capacitance-to-ground signals are used to determine the x- and y-coordinates, the determined coordinates may be formed into valid x-y pairs using mutual capacitance measurements. When resolving more than two temporally overlapping touches, information gained by resolving a valid x-y coordinate pair of at least one of the touches may be used to resolve the remaining touches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bernard O. Geaghan, Craig A. Cordeiro
  • Patent number: 8491388
    Abstract: A controller includes at least one vibrator and a vibration control unit which converts an operation input signal which is input to a predetermined operation button into a vibration control signal so as to be supplied to a vibrator. A motion sensor in a sensor unit detects vibration caused by the drive of the vibrator. Sensor output signal value obtained as a result of the detection by the sensor unit is transmitted from a wireless communication module to a game device. A game device achieves a function of automatically firing in succession in a game, based on the sensor output signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshio Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8491389
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant's experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Creative Kingdoms, LLC.
    Inventors: Denise Chapman Weston, Jonathan A. Barney
  • Patent number: 8487872
    Abstract: A handheld device having a main body and at least one button integral with the main body for causing generation of electrical signals. A pair of thumb controllers may be integral with the main body and positioned so that a user holding the device may tactilely engage each of the thumb controllers. A pair of sensing means may be operatively connected with the thumb controllers to generate an electrical signal in response to the user's tactile engagement with the thumb controllers. The signals may be resolved by a processor to determine an alphanumeric character to be generated. The signals may also be resolved with a signal generate by movement of the button to determine a state change to be generated in a video game so a user may interact with the video game. An electrical signal indicative of the video game state change may be generated and transmitted to a processing device executing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Blue Orb, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 8485900
    Abstract: In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Capcom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Taoka, Takaaki Yamanouchi
  • Publication number: 20130178294
    Abstract: A control system for multiple manipulating inputs and music outputs of wireless gaming device is provided, in which multiple wireless gaming devices can be collected in one-to-multiple manner, and the manipulating signals input from multiple wireless gaming devices can manipulate the game on the game console by a single wireless dongle under the same wireless frequency with interactive communication framework, and the game music can be transmitted to the audio interface of each of the wireless gaming devices and is played uninterruptedly, so as to possess both functions of using wireless gaming devices to manipulate game console and of transmitting game music outputted from the audio output interfaces of the wireless gaming devices to the audio output devices such as speakers or headsets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: KUN SHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kun Shan University
  • Publication number: 20130178293
    Abstract: A controller for interfacing with an interactive application is provided. The controller includes a housing defined by a main body, a first extension extending from a first end of the main body, and a second extension extending from a second end of the main body, the first extension and the second extension for holding by a first hand and a second hand of a user, respectively. The controller also includes an input device positioned along a top surface of the main body, and a touch-sensitive panel defined along a first side surface of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakayama, Ennin Huang
  • Patent number: 8480493
    Abstract: A game controller for a tablet computing device is disclosed. The controller includes a control console. A groove on a top portion of the control console configured and arranged to capture an edge of a tablet computing device in an upright orientation. A number of controls are included on the control console for transmitting game control inputs to the tablet computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: inMusic Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyson Liotta, Brian Shim, William Yonkers
  • Patent number: 8475272
    Abstract: In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Capcom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Taoka, Takaaki Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 8469814
    Abstract: A twist amount is calculated based on an angular velocity around a Z-axis of an input device when a player performs a shoot operation. Based on a value of a difficulty level stored in an external main memory, a minimum successful twist amount and a maximum successful twist amount are determined. As a result, the higher the difficulty level is, the narrower a successful range of the twist amount becomes. Further, the twist amount of the input device, which is obtained when the player performs the shoot operation for a first to a fourth shots, is stored in the external main memory. When the player performs the shoot operation for a fifth shot or thereafter, the twist amount of the input device at the time of the shoot operation for the fifth shot and thereafter is corrected with the use of the twist amount of the first to fourth shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimamura, Takeshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8471815
    Abstract: A joystick biased to return its stick to a neutral position and with compensation of the force applied by the biasing. The joystick has a stick that is moveable in relation to a base at least in rotation around two axes and biasing element mounted between said base and a movable element acting on said stick, tending to return said stick to a neutral position. The joystick further comprises compensator, mounted between the base and the movable element, and applying on the latter a force to compensate at least partially the force applied by the biasing, at least when said stick is located in the vicinity of said neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Guillemot Corporation, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Jaouen
  • Patent number: 8469815
    Abstract: A video game accessory comprises a body configured to receive a video game controller at a first location of the body, receive a controller expansion device connectable to the video game controller at a second location of the body, and maintain the orientation of the controller expansion device so that the orientation of the controller expansion device is substantially fixed with respect to an orientation of the video game controller, and a pass through cable comprising a first end that includes a first connector and a second end that includes a second connector, the pass through cable extending from the first location to the second location, wherein the first connector is engageable with a first mating connector of the video game controller and the second connector is engageable with a second mating connector of the controller expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Hovseth
  • Patent number: 8460105
    Abstract: An electronic game controller includes a front body, a rear body, a plurality of function keys and a rotating mechanism. The front body includes a second end surface non-orthogonal to its longitudinal axis. The rear body includes a third end surface parallel to the second end surface and non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rear body. The function keys are disposed on the front and the rear bodies. The rotating mechanism is connected with the second and the third end surfaces, that is, the front and the rear bodies are pivotally connected with each other via the rotating mechanism. Accordingly, since the rear body can rotate relative to the front body and be positioned via the rotating mechanism, the present invention can provide more than two ways of being held to enhance users' enjoyment of playing electronic games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Cywee Group Limited
    Inventor: Zhou Ye
  • Publication number: 20130143647
    Abstract: To provide a gaming terminal capable of effectively preventing breakage of a support mechanism of a lever-type operation device or the like and a method of providing notification, when a lever 6100 is rotated by a player during the running of a game, the angle of inclination is detected by an inclination detection mechanism 600a, and history information is updated based on the detected angle of inclination. Then whether the updated history information satisfies a predetermined warning condition is determined. A warning is issued to the player and the number of warnings is updated if the predetermined warning condition is satisfied, and the game being run is invalidated when the number of warnings reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130143665
    Abstract: A game machine includes: an entertainment button that can move up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position; a display part that displays characters associated with a game; a character determining part that determines a character to be displayed on the display part; a movement determining part that determines whether or not to move the entertainment button from the normal operation position to the protruding position; a drive control part to move the entertainment button from the normal operation position to the protruding position, when the movement determining part determines to move the entertainment button from the normal operation position to the protruding position; a push operation detecting part that detects the entertainment button being pushed down; and an enabling determining part that determines, when the push operation detecting part detects the entertainment button being pushed, whether or not to enable the detected push operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130143663
    Abstract: An entertainment button device includes an entertainment button and a button-up-and-down mechanism configured to move the entertainment button up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position in which the entertainment button protrudes upward from the normal operation position, and including: a shaft member extending in a moving direction of the entertainment button; a rotating mechanism that rotates the shaft member; an engagement part that moves up and down together with the entertainment button; and a spiral guide part formed in a spiral manner on an outer periphery of the shaft member, the engagement part engaging with the spiral guide part. When the rotating mechanism rotates the shaft member in a specific direction, the entertainment button moves to the protruding position, and when the rotating mechanism rotates the shaft member in an opposite direction from the specific direction, the entertainment button moves to the normal operation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130143664
    Abstract: A game machine includes: an entertainment button that can move up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position; a display part that displays characters related to a content of a game; a character determining part configured to determine a character to be displayed on the display; a stopper plate that holds the entertainment button in the protruding position; and a protruding position detecting part that detects the entertainment button being held in the protruding position by the stopper plate. When the protruding position detecting part detects the entertainment button not being held in the protruding position after having detected the entertainment button being held in the protruding position, the character detecting part recognizes that the entertainment button held in the protruding position is pushed down, and therefore determines a predetermined character. When the character determining part determines the character, the display part displays the determined character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoraku Industrial Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8452695
    Abstract: A system for managing electronic trading, comprises an interface application including a mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signal relationships. Each controller signal relationship associates one or more of a plurality of game controller signals with one of a plurality of trading system commands associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments. The interface application receives a plurality of game controller signals generated by a game controller, and determines, based on the controller signal relationships, that one or more of the plurality of received game controller signals are erroneous. The interface application causes the communication of a command to lock the game controller based on the determination of the one or more erroneous game controller signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: BGC Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: James A Longman, Joseph C Noviello
  • Patent number: 8449392
    Abstract: A player object is caused to perform a motion in a virtual game world in accordance with information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a player. Biological signal acquisition means acquires the biological signal from the player. Pulse detection means detects pulse or heartbeat of the player in accordance with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquisition means. Player object motion control means causes the player object to discharge a discharge object in the virtual game world when the pulse detection means detects the pulse or the heartbeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Norikatsu Furuta, Makoto Yoshizawa, Norihiro Sugita, Tomoyuki Yambe, Goro Abe
  • Patent number: 8446365
    Abstract: A joystick (1) comprising a substantially stationary part (4) and a movable part (3) adapted to be manipulated by an operator. The joystick further comprises a sensor device adapted to detect a position of the movable part (3) relatively to the substantially stationary part (4), the sensor device comprising a magnet arrangement comprising one or more magnets (9) and defining a predetermined magnetic field, and a magnetic detector being adapted to detect a magnetic flux and to generate a corresponding output. The magnet arrangement or the magnetic detector is arranged on the substantially stationary part (4), while the magnetic detector or the magnet arrangement is arranged on the movable part (3). Thereby relative movements between the parts (3, 4) result in relative movements between the magnet arrangement and the magnetic detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss ApS
    Inventor: Nick Weppenaar
  • Publication number: 20130116021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a games simulator having a user control element, a monitor, a computer, and a vibration mechanism that are connected to the monitor. In order for the user to receive information about a vehicle's speed of motion without having to employ any visual elements, a computer is provided with a controller (control unit), which is connected to the vibration mechanism of the device for controlling characteristic data of a the vehicle's virtual motion, and the vibration mechanism is embodied, for instance, in the form of a wristband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: OOO "PARITÄT-ZENTR"
    Inventor: Alexay Borisovich Lukyanov
  • Patent number: 8430753
    Abstract: A home entertainment system for video games and other applications includes a main unit and handheld controllers. The handheld controllers sense their own motion by detecting illumination emitted by emitters positioned at either side of a display. The controllers can be plugged into expansion units that customize the overall control interface for particular applications including but not limited to legacy video games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Ikeda, Kuniaki Ito, Ryoji Kuroda, Genyo Takeda, Masahiro Urata
  • Patent number: 8425320
    Abstract: A transmission-gear-selection device includes knob means; shaft means coupled to the knob means; and shift means coupled to the shaft means and configured to shift gears for a driving simulator and/or driving game as the knob means and shaft means are manipulated by a user, wherein the knob means and shaft means are configured to be manipulated for gated shifting. Gated shifting includes the simulation of a transmission of a vehicle that is simulated by the driving simulator and/or the driving game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: David Neil McVicar
  • Patent number: 8425319
    Abstract: An example game apparatus determines, when an input has been made with a cross button, whether an input direction indicates a diagonal direction. When the input direction indicates a diagonal direction, a follow parameter is set such that a virtual stick vector is changed so as to slowly approach an input vector. When the input direction does not indicate a diagonal direction, the follow parameter is set such that the virtual stick vector is changed so as to approach the input vector fast. Further, the game apparatus calculates the follow parameter according to an inner product of the virtual stick vector and the input vector. The game apparatus updates the virtual stick vector based on the virtual stick vector having been most recently obtained, the input vector, and the follow parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Sato, Hiromasa Shikata