Network Type (e.g., Computer Network, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/42)
  • Patent number: 10780354
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for sharing electronic media are disclosed herein. According to particular embodiments, the system enables a user to select media (e.g., an image, a video, a gif, etc.) and compose a phrase to be associated with the media. In some embodiments, the system creates a post from the media and the phrase and enables the user to transmit the post to one or more other users to play (e.g., guess the phrase).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BLUEBOARD MEDIA, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Decoufle
  • Patent number: 10785116
    Abstract: Methods for reducing network bandwidth usage by managing data file assets in a bundle of data file assets requested for download are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a manifest associated with a bundle including one or more assets. The manifest includes information regarding the one or more assets. The method includes comparing the information with locally stored assets. The method includes determining, based on the comparison, at least one asset to be requested. The method includes sending a request for the at least one asset. The method includes receiving, in response to the request, the at least one asset. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventor: Lennart Goedhart
  • Patent number: 10780342
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes identifying a plurality of devices associated with a computing device, identifying status information from each device of the plurality of devices, and identifying presentation features for each device of the plurality of devices. The method further includes receiving presentation information indicating a setting to present first status information from a first device of the plurality of devices via a selected device of the plurality of devices, wherein the first status is presented on the selected device by a selected presentation feature of the selected device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Dave Astels, Andrew Olcott
  • Patent number: 10776696
    Abstract: A system is provided for control of an entertainment state system having segregated secure functions and public functions for use by one or more users of the system. First, a public interface portal receives instructions regarding operation of the entertainment state system from the one or more users. The interface portal includes a first interface, a processor, a graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to the processor, a control unit in operative communication with the processor and graphical user interface, and a second interface providing an application program interface (API). Secondly, a secure entity unit is provided, the secure entity unit including a receive interface, the receive interface adapted to receive a call from the application program interface (API) of the interface portal, a send interface, the send interface adapted to provide a response to the interface portal interface, a game engine, and a financial engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Robert Tercek
  • Patent number: 10773161
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for enabling a mobile station to control a virtual world being executed on a console system are described. The method can include establishing a communication link between the mobile station and a console system, identifying user interface characteristics of the mobile station, and providing a controller application to the mobile station, the controller application being based on the identified user interface characteristics and configured to transform user interface inputs into controller commands. The method can further include receiving signals containing data representing the controller commands from the mobile station over the communication link and determining a sequence of events of the virtual world based on the received controller commands. In one aspect, the controller application can execute in the context of an application on the mobile station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Pramod P. Patil
  • Patent number: 10769747
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that includes a microcontroller to control a workload of a graphics processor, to determine if at least one predetermined condition is met, and instruct, if the at least one predetermined condition is met, the graphics processor to transform an initial frame into an intermediate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravindra A. Babu, Satyanantha R. Musunuri, Sashank Ms, Sagar C. Pawar, Kalyan K. Kaipa
  • Patent number: 10770072
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method that includes receiving, at a triggering system, input data about an environment. Machine learning (ML) algorithms extract features from the input data and analyze relationships among and between the features to generate user-interaction-readiness model of person-A's readiness to participate in a human interaction with other persons in the environment. The ML algorithms to apply real-world data about person-A to the user-interaction-readiness model to generate a first classification output comprising data representing person-A's readiness to participate in a human interaction with other persons in the environment. Based at least in part on a determination that person-A and another person(s) in the environment are interaction candidates, the triggering system triggers the initiation of human interaction strategies configured to facilitate human interactions between person-A and the previously identified another person(s) in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinícius Costa Villas Bôas Segura, Ana Fucs, Rodrigo Laiola Guimaraes, Julio Nogima
  • Patent number: 10765948
    Abstract: The present specification describes a system and method for aggregating user results, rankings and statistical data associated with playing video games across two or more games, normalizing the aggregated data to unified values and presenting the aggregated and unified data via an interface, such that data from one game may be fairly combined and/or compared to data from another game. The present system enables users of one game to trade game-related virtual items with users of another game by providing a normalized score or value for virtual items, thereby permitting virtual items associated with one game to be fairly compared against virtual items of another game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Robert Schonfeld
  • Patent number: 10771512
    Abstract: A system for augmented reality viewing generates a unique code corresponding to a user device. Information corresponding to the unique code is broadcast from the user device and the unique code is displayed on the user device. The information is configured to be received by an augmented reality device. A camera of an augmented reality device is activated upon receiving the information broadcast from the user device. The camera is configured to scan for the unique code. The user device is joined to an augmented reality session of the augmented reality device in response to the camera scanning the unique code displayed on the user device and by transmitting identification information to the user device based on the unique code. The simplified joining process improves the user experience and allows the user to more quickly view an augmented reality environment directly on a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Escudero, Toby Gilbert, Jose Antonio Santano Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10765942
    Abstract: A server device includes: a set information acquisitor, a first storage, a set information request receiver, and an output controller. The set information acquisitor is configured to acquire from a first terminal device a set information which indicates a set of objects and which is associated with a first user. The first terminal device is configured to process a game by using the set information and to proceed with reference to the set of objects extracted from the set information. The set information request receiver is configured to receive an output request related to the set information from a second terminal device corresponding to a second user. The output controller is configured to cause, on the basis of the set information stored in the first storage, an output device to output at least one of the set information corresponding to the output request and information related to the set information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kensuke Kokami
  • Patent number: 10769886
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing access to first interactive content or second interactive content by a user of a portable computing device based upon a determined location of the portable computing device. The system includes a host server, a content server storing data representing the first interactive content and the second interactive content, and a communication network in communication with the host server and the content server. One or more WiFi communication beacons are in communication with the host server through the communication network. The communication network is configured to establish communication with the portable computing device. The host server is configured to determine a location of the portable computing device from the communication of the portable computing device with the communication network using a combination of WiFi signals and Bluetooth signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Hilbert, Joseph Randolph Hedrick, Nicole Marie Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 10765952
    Abstract: A system and method for providing system-level multiuser matchmaking is provided. A user selection specifying a multiuser activity associated with an interactive content title is received. An activity template associated with the selected activity is retrieved and the retrieved activity template includes activity requirements required to launch the selected activity. A new multiuser session having session requirements is established, and the session requirements are based on at least the activity requirements. The user device and at least one peer device identified based on the session requirements is added to the new multiuser session. The selected activity is launched in the new multiuser session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Steven Trombetta, Toshimasa Aoki, Jonathan Webb
  • Patent number: 10765955
    Abstract: Users may request notification of occurrence of video game play events. Upon occurrence of the video game play events, the users may be provided access to live streams of play of the video games. In some embodiments the video game play events may occur across play of a multitude of video games using a multitude of game hosts, including in some embodiments different video games, and play of the video games may be at unscheduled times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah Eatedali, Robert Schonfeld
  • Patent number: 10768776
    Abstract: A technology is described for streaming object data for a virtual object to a simulation client and dynamically incorporating the virtual object into a simulation environment in response to detecting an interactive event in the simulation environment. An example method may include receiving an indication of an interactive event associated with a simulation environment, where the indication of the interactive event may be sent over a network by a simulation client configured to execute the simulation environment. In response to receiving the indication of the interactive event, object data for a virtual object linked to the interactive event may be identified. An audio stream for the virtual object may be obtained, and the object data and the audio stream may be streamed to the simulation client and the virtual object may be incorporated in the simulation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Michael Roche, David Chiapperino, Vasily Vasinov
  • Patent number: 10764365
    Abstract: A web application system of an embodiment includes a server and a terminal. The server includes a server-side updating device, a server-side detection device, and a server-side synchronization device. The terminal includes an application execution device. The server-side updating device updates first information stored in a server-side storage device on the basis of a server-side event. The server-side detection device detects that the first information has been updated. The server-side synchronization device notifies the terminal of information indicating that the first information has been updated when it is detected that the first information has been updated. The application execution device functions by a web application being executed. Further, the application execution device starts synchronization of second information stored in a terminal-side storage device with the first information when information indicating that the first information has been updated is received from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masashi Kojo, Nobuyasu Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10762746
    Abstract: A resource management entertainment game including a mobile device, a player acquires and consumes resources to achieve a goal. An entertainment system engine of the gambling hybrid game provides player selection of wager denomination, the resource management entertainment game and determines when an interaction with a game element occurs in the game. A game world engine of the gambling hybrid game determines when a gambling event in a gambling game is to be provided based upon the interaction with game element in the resource management entertainment game. The game world engine then requests that a real world engine of the gambling hybrid game resolve the gambling event in the gambling game. The real world engine resolves the gambling event and associated wagers on the outcome of the gambling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 10751620
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes running a game application on one or more servers of a hosting service center. The game application is for a game and wherein the game application is played by a first user of a first client device remote to the hosting service center via compressed streaming interactive video transmitted over the Internet. The method includes storing a recording of the game played by the first user. The method includes storing application state information for the recording of the game played by the first user. The method includes using the application state information, by a second user, to generate one or more additional views of the recording of the game played by the first user. The one or more additional views include generation of video using the application state information, and the generated video is different than video of the recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Roger van der Laan
  • Patent number: 10751629
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems presented herein may identify users to play a multiplayer video game together using a mapping system and machine learning algorithms to create sets of matchmaking plans for the multiplayer video game that increases player or user retention. Embodiments of systems presented herein can determine the predicted churn rate, or conversely retention rate, of a user waiting to play a video game if the user is matched with one or more additional users in a multiplayer instance of the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Su Xue, Kazi Atif-Uz Zaman, Navid Aghdaie, John Kolen, Zhengxing Chen
  • Patent number: 10751623
    Abstract: Techniques for incentivizing completive gameplay include measuring metrics for a plurality of players (e.g., ranked players and non-ranked players) that engage in gameplay, and generating ranked profiles for the ranked players and a non-ranked profile for the non-ranked player based on the metrics. The techniques further include mapping the ranked profiles and the non-ranked profile in a vector-space, where one metric corresponds to one dimension in the vector-space, and presenting a notification to the non-ranked player based on a distance in the vector-space between the non-ranked profile and at least one ranked profile. The notification provides an incentive for the non-ranked player to engage in competitive gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Steven Trombetta, Christopher Thielbar, James Fairbairn
  • Patent number: 10751610
    Abstract: A video game may utilize mobile device location information in providing game rewards for a video game to game players. In some embodiments the video game is played on the mobile device. In some embodiments the video game is played on a non-mobile device, for example a game console. In some embodiments the mobile device is a smart phone, and in some embodiments the mobile device is a simple near field communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alfred Leyland, I-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 10751616
    Abstract: A control program causing a computer to execute a competition between two players, based on a correction value obtained by correcting a reference value of at least one player of the two players, the two players respectively belonging to two groups, to store a point which may be determined based on the reference value of at least the one player, in a storage unit in association with a group to which the winning player belongs, and to determine a result of the competition between groups, based on the summation of points which may be stored in the storage unit in association with each group. In a case where a predetermined action is performed on the predetermined game content of the group to which at least the one player belongs, control may be performed to change the correction value of the player and not to change the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Yusuke Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10744415
    Abstract: A method and device generates a fantasy sports recommendation. The method includes receiving a plurality of ranking values associated with a sport player, each of the ranking values being generated from a respective source. The method includes assigning a weight value to each of the ranking values, the weight value being associated with the respective source. The method includes generating a recommendation value for the sport player as a function of the ranking values and the corresponding weight values. The method includes receiving a selection value for the sport player. The method includes determining a further weight value for each of the sources as a function of the selection value, the recommendation value, and the weight value for the corresponding source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Nathaniel Sloan, David Michael Fishel
  • Patent number: 10744416
    Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to mobile gaming, location determination, mobile devices, authentication, and so on are described. Various methods are described. Various apparatus are described. Further embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: INTERACTIVE GAMES LLC
    Inventors: Lee Amaitis, Paul Williams, Sunny Tara
  • Patent number: 10747185
    Abstract: A system and method for communication between a building management system control panel and a monitoring station are disclosed. Examples of building management systems include fire alarm systems and security systems. The monitoring station and the control panel establish an encrypted channel between each other. The monitoring station and the control panel then transmit status information over the encrypted channel. In examples, the status information includes alarm information sent from fire control panels, intrusion information sent from security panels, and operational information of the panels and/or monitoring station, in examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TYCO SAFETY PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Stephane Foisy, Derek Smith
  • Patent number: 10737173
    Abstract: A server apparatus, which may be configured to execute a step of storing one or more first game content associated with a plurality of users, a step of selecting two or more users from among the plurality of users, an establishment step of establishing association between each user and a second game content, and a step of executing a first game part on the basis of the second game content of which association with each user may be established and a user operation on the terminal device used by each user. The second game content associated with the first user among the two or more users may be selected from among one or more first game content associated with the first user and one or more first game content associated with the second user among the two or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10741024
    Abstract: A gaming system implements a method of gaming. The gaming system includes one or more gaming devices configured to enable a player to place a wager for play of a wagering game, and each gaming device includes a player tracking/marketing module (PTM). A plurality of avatars are selectable by a player, and after receiving one or more inputs from the player relating to the avatars selected and credit allocation for each selected avatar, one is designated as the active avatar for game play. The system receives, via a credit input mechanism, a credit wager to initiate play of a wagering game, and in response to a user input triggering game play via the gaming device, the PTM records credit wagered for game play against the active avatar. Moreover, in response to a winning outcome occurring in a game outcome for the triggered game play, the PTM records any award for the game outcome against one or more avatars in accordance with allocation criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Bennett
  • Patent number: 10737183
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to ancillary game data. Ancillary game data, including game state events and/or visual/audio elements, is generated from and stored in association with raw or original game play footage by a game state data (GSD) service. The ancillary game data is available for subsequently composition back with the corresponding original media stream, thereby generating a smart media stream, for viewers to consume. Game state events are available for searching and sorting archived media streams or for performing general data mining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: BlueStack Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shashi Kant Sharma, Sabrina Marie Waun-Mei Li, Julia Larson, David P. Reese, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10737176
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video game program for causing a computer to realize an acquisition function of acquiring replay data for reproducing play contents already ended of a user in a game space in which a plurality of characters including a player character of the user appear, an image generation function of generating a replay image to be displayed on a display based on the acquired replay data, and a selection function of selecting one or more characters from among the plurality of characters as a focus character based on a selection operation on an operator by the user. In the image generation function, the replay image is generated in a display format for the focus character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ohno, Kei Odagiri
  • Patent number: 10737182
    Abstract: A method of using, computer software implementing, and a system for allowing a fantasy sports contest application to provide to a user the ability to substitute bench players for active players prior to or during a corresponding live game. The method is implemented by computer software executed on a system comprising plurality of computers, including: a user interface, a player performance stats tracking mechanism configured to track stats from each player's game, a game clock reader that reads a game clock from each player's game, a database configured to store game clock times and player stats, including player active and inactive statuses, a substitution mechanism configured to substitute a bench player for an active player, a point tallying mechanism configured to tally points based on active player stats, and a stats projection update mechanism configured to provide real-time player stats projection updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: YouRulz, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric D. Martin
  • Patent number: 10735582
    Abstract: A system for referring a telephone communication to one of a plurality of financial assistance providers based on lender criteria, the method including the steps of: storing telephone numbers for a plurality of financial assistance providers in memory accessible by a digital electrical computer; obtaining lender criteria for selecting one of the financial assistance providers; storing said criteria for access by said computer; identifying a debtor; selecting one of the financial assistance providers by accessing the criteria, applying the criteria, and accessing one of the stored telephone numbers; and connecting the debtor by telephone to the one of the stored telephone numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Peter K Trzyna
  • Patent number: 10729976
    Abstract: Techniques for coordination of content presentation operations are described herein. In some cases, a client may generate client metadata associated with client event data. The client metadata may include, for example, an indication of any one or more of a time, a frame, a location, an angle, a direction, a speed, a force, or other information associated with the client event data. Also, in some cases, the content provider may generate content provider metadata associated with image data. For example, the content provider metadata may indicate a location of a virtual camera associated with the respective image data and/or a location of one or more objects represented within the respective image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Semih Energin, John Russell Seghers
  • Patent number: 10733496
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for providing a conversation session with an artificial intelligence entity in a user interface. Once the conversation session with the artificial intelligence entity has been initiated, other individuals and/or artificial intelligence entities may be invited to join the conversation. In addition, other users may view the interactions between the individuals and the artificial intelligence entities without participating in the conversation. Although the other users are not participating in the conversation, the user interface enables these users to provide comments about the interactions. These comments may be used to train the artificial intelligence entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Xianchao Wu
  • Patent number: 10733560
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating, scoring, and encouraging group performance towards a common goal is disclosed. In an embodiment, individuals of a group have an incentive to encourage other group members to drive better and achieve an improved overall driving score for the group. A group driving score is determined based on the driving performances of members of the group. The group may establish a driving score goal and work toward achieving that goal using real-time group reinforcement communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company
    Inventors: Thomas Warden, Eric Huls
  • Patent number: 10729975
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for dynamically selecting a communication technology based at least in part on the success in forming a peer-to-peer connection for playing an instance of a video game are disclosed. Further, the systems may dynamically select a communication technology based on the quality of service of an established communication connection between two or more computing systems corresponding to two or more users attempting to play the instance of the video game. In some embodiments, the identification of a communication technology may occur during a gaming session and the communication technology used at the start of the game play session may be transitioned to another communication technology enabling the maintenance of a level of quality of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Aaron Windrem, David Brian O'Neill, James Lawrence Brookes, Martin Clouâtre, Mark Ryan Waller
  • Patent number: 10735910
    Abstract: Improved systems and methods for enhancing the performance of network based computerized content rendering and hosting and providing of devices, systems and/or platforms by modifying the capabilities and providing non-native functionality to such devices, systems and/or platforms through a novel and improved application, networked based enforcement of geographical compliance, data processing and networking framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: OATH INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Dharmar, Edward Joseph Campbell, Daniel Haight
  • Patent number: 10722788
    Abstract: Systems for managing latency in networked competitive multiplayer gaming may include a latency management server that coordinates communications between game clients and game servers that enable a player to engage in a competitive multiplayer game, as well as other systems that balance the playing field, such as handicapping systems. Exemplary games may include, for example, first-person shooter games, real-time strategy games, fighting games, multiplayer online battle arena games, and the like. The latency management server may analyze network characteristics of the clients and servers and determine an appropriate server for each client or sets of clients. In some embodiments, the latency management server may add latency to particular communications to balance response times between all clients, provide a latency advantage to one or more clients, and the like. Scoring systems may implemented based on in-game actions, and scoring may be weighted based on latencies. Other implementations also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Allied Esports International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Ng, Jud Hannigan, David Moon
  • Patent number: 10722793
    Abstract: Data characterizing two players enrolled in a tournament of an online video game is received. Each player is executing a separate instance of the online video game. The online video game is asynchronous between the two players. The data is received by a tournament server hosting the tournament and separate from a game server providing game data to clients associated with the two players. An instruction for synchronous initiation of gameplay between the two players is generated. The instruction is transmitted to the clients associated with the two players, the instruction causing synchronous initiation of the asynchronous games for the two players. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Skillz Inc
    Inventors: Andrew Paradise, Miriam Aguirre
  • Patent number: 10726664
    Abstract: A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include features to ensure that users are not permitted to participate in gambling activities if users communicate with the system through parts of system infrastructure located close enough to pick up or send signals across state lines or beyond authorized areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: INTERACTIVE GAMES LLC
    Inventors: Lee M. Amaitis, Joseph M. Asher, Howard W. Lutnick, Darrin M. Mylet, Alan B. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10720010
    Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices for controlling many aspects of a player's gaming experience, including game themes presented, game denomination, pay models, content and promotions. Some implementations of the invention provide a casino operator the necessary tools to create subsets of customers, often referred to herein as “communities,” and to control the gaming experiences of players in these communities. In some such implementations, communities may be created and/or modified according to various criteria, some of which may be weighted more heavily than others. Specific marketing messages, promotions, etc., may be provided to attract and retain players having similar characteristics and preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Andy O. Bryson, Richard Fishman
  • Patent number: 10720024
    Abstract: A user interface for the display of a parimutuel wagering device, that enables a player to place a combination wager on an upcoming contest, includes: (a) combination indicators that appear in the display, and wherein each of these represents one of the possible winning combinations of the wager, (b) value parameters that appear in the display, and wherein each of these is associated with one the combination indicators, (c) wherein each of the value parameters is a quantitative measure of the likelihood that a wager on its associated combination indicator will yield a return that is greater than the cost of the wager, and (d) wherein this value parameters is calculated from some of the temporally-updated information that is provided by the tote board that controls these parimutuel wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: BetMIX, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Williams, Calvin J. Martin
  • Patent number: 10716997
    Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: a first touch area is provided on a graphical user interface, and a virtual character is configured to move in a game scene according to a first touch operation received by the first touch area; when detecting a second touch operation of which a starting touch point is in at least one signal icon, a mini-map in the graphical user interface is zoomed in, and a third touch operation of which a starting touch point is in the mini-map is detected; and when the end of the third touch operation is detected, and a position of an ending touch point of the third touch operation is in the mini-map, sending a prompt signal corresponding to at least one signal icon, the prompt signal including position indication information of the game scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhaoda He
  • Patent number: 10717010
    Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to provide efficient game access is described. A request to access a first game using a first primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the first primary identifier are accessed. A request to access a second game using a second primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the second primary identifier are accessed. A determination that the first and second primary identifiers are associated with a particular player is made. An association between the internal identifiers is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Lavery, Rahul Kapur, Mohan Reddy, Scott D. MacGregor, Jeffrey Zakrzewski
  • Patent number: 10716995
    Abstract: An information processing method is provided. The method includes: a first touch area on a graphical user interface is provided, and a virtual character is configured to move in a game scene according to a first touch operation received in the first touch area; a second touch operation is detected acting on a mini-map, and a presentation content of the game scene is changed according to the second touch operation; when a signal triggering operation acting on a signal icon is detected in a process of changing the presentation content of the game scene according to the second touch operation, a prompt signal corresponding to the signal icon is sent, the prompt signal including position indication information of the game scene; and when the end of the second touch operation is detected, the presentation content of the game scene is controlled to be restored to a presentation content state before the second touch operation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhaoda He
  • Patent number: 10721225
    Abstract: A system and method includes establishing a trusted relationship between a first user using a first user device to access a collaboration platform and a second user using a second user device to access the collaboration platform. The method includes receiving, by the collaboration platform, a request from the first user device to establish the trusted relationship with the second user of the collaboration platform. The method also includes transmitting a first authentication code to the first user device responsive to the request. The method includes receiving a second authentication code from the second user device. The method further includes authenticating the second user to establish the trusted relationship between the first user and the second user of the collaboration platform responsive to determining the second authentication code received from the second user device matches the first authentication code transmitted to the first user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Roblox Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Baszucki, Deepak Murali Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 10716996
    Abstract: An information processing method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: a first touch area is provided on the graphical user interface, and the virtual character is configured to move in the game scene according to a first touch operation received in the first touch area; when a second touch operation is detected, of which a starting touch point is in at least one signal icon, a position of a current touch point of the second touch operation is detected in real time; when the current touch point satisfies a preset condition, a mini-map is zoomed in on the graphical user interface; and when the end of the second touch operation is detected, and a position of an ending touch point of the second touch operation is in the mini-map, a prompt signal corresponding to the at least one signal icon is sent, the prompt signal including position indication information of the game scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhaoda He
  • Patent number: 10720018
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game having a plurality of stages and enabling, for a game session, game play and wagers at a current stage of the game. A determination may then be made whether game play has reached a stage complete state in which all requirements necessary for transitioning game play to a next or another stage of the plurality of stages, as may be a determination whether this is a first time, during the game session, that the game play has reached the stage complete state for the current stage. An incentive may be offered to the player to transition game play to the next or another stage when game play has reached the stage complete state for the first time and not offering the player the incentive otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SYNERGY BLUE LLC
    Inventors: Michael Oberberger, Michael Low
  • Patent number: 10709989
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for analyzing a game update effect according to a change in a gamer action sequence, the apparatus including: a gamer action information collector configured to collect action information of a gamer from a game operating server that provides a gamer terminal with a game and stores the action information of the gamer therein; a gamer action information sequence identifier configured to detect an action sequence of the gamer from the collected action information of the gamer; and an update result analyzer configured to analyze an consequence on behavior of the gamer with respect to an update of a game service by comparing action sequences of the gamer detected through the gamer action information sequence identifier on the basis of a time point of the update of the game service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Si Hwan Jang, Seong Il Yang, Hyung Keun Jee
  • Patent number: 10713665
    Abstract: Software on a server receives a game action message associated with one of a plurality of online games being played by a user. The software generates an asset message based at least in part on the game action message. The software determines user feed preferences based on a social filter graph. The social filter graph depends at least in part on a metagame account associated with the user. And the software transmits the asset message to social network identifiers according to the user feed preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen Fan, Ha (Nancy) Hang, Aaron Ligon, Michelle Koh Potts
  • Patent number: 10709986
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for an Alliance Engine. The Alliance Engine receives a selection, by a first player, of a first tile to be controlled by a first enforcer asset on behalf of the first player. The first tile provides access to a first type of in-game resource to the first player. The Alliance Engine detects the first tile is adjacent to a second tile. The second tile is controlled by a second enforcer asset on behalf of a second player. The first player and the second player belong to a player alliance. The second tile providing access to a second type of in-game resource to the second player. Based on the detected adjacency, the Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the first type of in-game resource of the first tile to the second player. The Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the second type of in-game resource of the second tile to the first player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Massimo Maietti
  • Patent number: 10709970
    Abstract: Described herein are electronic gaming machines, and methods of operating electronic gaming machines, configured to enable display of game display data and additional information via common video output. Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed to enable display of information such as machine diagnostics and bonus games, for example via a secondary display device. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology Limited
    Inventor: Lee Howard Weekes