In A Game Requiring An Element Of A Participants Physical Skill Or Ability (e.g., Hand-eye Coordination, Reflex, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/7)
  • Patent number: 10086283
    Abstract: An entertainment system comprises at least one input for receiving data representative of a reference dance performance, a dance analyzer for generating data descriptive of an aspect of the reference dance, a key-point selector for selecting a plurality of key-points in the reference dance responsive to a property of the reference motion data, and an error tolerance calculator for generating error tolerance values at the plurality of key-points in the dance for use in scoring subsequent performances of the dance. The error tolerance values are responsive to a property of the reference motion data. An input may receive telemetry from one or more game controllers in communication with the entertainment system, in which the reference motion data comprises motion data generated by the dance analyzer from the telemetry received from one or more game controllers while the controller(s) was held during the reference performance of the dance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Trewartha, Jamie William Derbyshire, David John Skilton
  • Patent number: 9940789
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting a credit contribution for a hybrid game having an entertainment game portion and a gambling game portion are provided. In operation, a portion of real world credits committed or accumulated in the hybrid game are collected and the collected portion of real world credits is contributed to a pool via a credit tax management system, the pool for the purposes of contributing to an award for redemption of game world credit granted players for achieving a certain status in a hybrid game tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer
  • Patent number: 9919205
    Abstract: Provided is a method of applying multiple crosshairs, and more particularly, a method of applying multiple crosshairs in a shooting game, in which a background and a target are displayed on a screen by a user's operation and crosshairs are displayed on the screen. The method comprises displaying multiple crosshairs on the screen, and upon receiving a shooting instruction, shooting a projectile toward the crosshairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Sin Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9905082
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring live events are generally described. A live event management system may be configured to track in-play activities during a live event and to provide live event information to data consumers. The management system may be configured to provide an event timeline in real time or substantially real time that may facilitate reliable in-play wagering using accurate and up-to-date information. The event timeline may be used as a reference to review, manage, and monitor live events, wagers, and wager activity. The management system may be configured as an “end-to-end” wagering solution capable of, among other things, receiving wagers (or “bets”) from bettors, managing and processing event information, and presenting wagers received from bettors to bookmakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SPORTSMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John D. Dengler, Gerard J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9901823
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating battle-attribute-based arrangement of map areas is provided. Battle-related records that indicate battle attribute values associated with users of a game space may be maintained. Responsive to the battle attribute values associated with individual ones of the users corresponding to the battle attribute values associated with other ones of the users, generation of one or more secondary maps having secondary areas associated with the individual users that are arranged together with secondary areas associated with the other users may be initiated. For example, the secondary area associated with a first user and the secondary area associated with a second user may be arranged together in one of the secondary maps responsive to a first battle attribute value associated with the first user corresponding to a second battle attribute value associated with the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sellers
  • Patent number: 9895612
    Abstract: A method for managing a stored digital asset on one or more computers independently of a plurality of media sources. The digital asset includes a plurality of characteristics including at least one alterable characteristic, and includes one or more of a virtual character, virtual property, or a game asset. The method includes sending at least a first portion of the digital asset data to one or more of the media sources including at least one characteristic, whereby performance of media by the one or more media sources is affected by the at least one characteristic, receiving data from the one or more media sources for altering the at least one alterable characteristic, and altering the at least one alterable characteristic in the stored digital asset based on the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PARTICLE CITY, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Pacey, Brian Booker
  • Patent number: 9861894
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for personalizing a game executed by an electronic device is provided. The method may include collecting a plurality of user data. The method may also include determining at least one input/output option. The method may then include selecting a game template from a plurality of available game templates based on the collected plurality of user data and the determined at least one input/output option. The method may further include configuring the electronic game based on the selected game template, the collected plurality of user data, and the determined plurality of input/output options. The method may also include executing, by the electronic device, the configured electronic game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hardee, Steven R. Joroff, Pamela A. Nesbitt, Scott E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9836806
    Abstract: A system, method, and a physical figure for presenting user progress in a virtual space are disclosed. The presented user progress may indicate user advancements in the virtual space and/or user development in the real-world. Based on information indicating such user progress, character representation may be determined to reflect the user progress for presentation on the physical figure. In some implementations, specific location(s) on the physical figure may be determined for presenting specific aspect(s) of user progress in the virtual space. The physical figure may receive the determined character representation information and present the character represent on one or more screens thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: INTELLIFECT INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John A. Lundin, Daniel Westfall
  • Patent number: 9833712
    Abstract: A game system includes a game processing section that performs a process that implements a game, a data link processing section that determines that a data link activation condition has been satisfied when a data link start positional relationship has been established between a moving object and another moving object, and performs a process that produces a data link effect that changes at least one of the radar-related capability of the moving object and the performance of the moving object, and a display processing section that performs a display process that displays a display object that notifies a player of information about a data link. The data link processing section performs a process that prohibits production of the data link effect during at least one of a given first period after the game has started, and a given second period after production of the data link effect has been canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Jun Tamaoki, Makoto Yonezawa, Masayoshi Noda, Tsuyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9795884
    Abstract: An interactive gaming system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensor that conveys information to the system about the physical, intellectual, mental, emotional, psychological or other type of ability of a user. The system uses the information to assess the existence and extent of a disability, and then implements a change to an aspect of the gaming environment, thus optimizing the gaming experience for the game player by accounting for the game player's disabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DATADNA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Short, Geoffrey C. Zatkin, Christopher R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9767705
    Abstract: A system for providing a user a virtual exercise in playing a music instrument relative to the user's skill characteristics includes: a processing entity and a memory entity for processing and storing data, respectively to execute the system functions, and a data transfer entity for receiving and transmitting data, the system configured to: obtain musical notation data, analyze it to assign the musical piece to which such data pertains a number of difficulty characteristics with scalar values, provide the user with a number of musical pieces, with known difficulty characteristics, as virtual exercises to be completed by playing an instrument, obtain user performance data of completed virtual exercises, analyze the user performance data to determine and assign the user with a number of skill characteristics values in accordance with the difficulty characteristic values of the completed musical pieces, and determine a musical piece for the user as a virtual exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: YOUSICIAN OY
    Inventors: Anssi Klapuri, Mikko Kaipainen, Chris Thur
  • Patent number: 9764237
    Abstract: A system for delivering advertisements is provided capable of effectively advertising companies or products to users through a game as well as attracting the users' interest by varying the game difficulty in real-time according to user's responses. The system for delivering advertisements comprises a registration unit (212, 214) for registering information on one or more products provided from a company, information on the company, and condition information set by the company on conditions to win the products (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Hiromi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9724613
    Abstract: Provided is a game device capable of enabling a user to more readily perceive the rhythm of music when playing a game in which the player performs a game operation to the music. In the game configured so that the player performs the game operation to the music, based on reference timing data indicating a reference timing at which the player should perform the game operation, a game device indicates the reference timing to the player by moving a guide image on a game screen from a generation position to a target position while changing a direction of the guide image in accordance with a beat of the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Tarama
  • Patent number: 9710128
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing gesture discoverability with a mobile computing device. In one aspect, a method include actions of obtaining gesture definition data for a particular gesture. The gesture definition data specifies a predefined onset position associated with commencement of the particular gesture, a predefined motion associated with completion of the particular gesture, a particular action that is triggered upon the completion of the particular gesture, and a visual indicator for visually indicating a progress toward the completion of the particular gesture as the predefined motion is performed. Additional actions include determining that an orientation of a mobile computing device matches the onset position of the particular gesture, providing the visual indicator, determining a motion, determining whether the motion matches the predefined motion, and determining whether to update the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Alejandro Jose Kauffmann
  • Patent number: 9700805
    Abstract: A system and method for automated fantasy drafting are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving one or more user-defined rules with respect to a list of players, wherein each player on the list is associated with one or more characteristics from a set of predefined characteristics and wherein at least one of the user-defined rules specifies a particular characteristic and selecting a player from the list of players satisfying the one or more user-defined rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Nathaniel Sloan, Chris Tembreull, John Diver
  • Patent number: 9643081
    Abstract: A portable sensor unit for capturing motion and/or other data may be securely mounted on objects such as a user's limb, a vehicle, or other items. The sensor unit may then collect motion and/or other data from the object to which it is affixed, and may provide this data to a data logger which stores the data. The data logger may subsequently communicate the data to a gaming system which may tailor the motion characteristics of a virtual object to resemble those of the real-world object from which the motion data was captured. Thus, a user can (for example) capture motion data from a vehicle, with this data being supplied to a video gaming unit which provides a virtual vehicle having the same acceleration/deceleration, handling, and other characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Kavars, Leslie Davis
  • Patent number: 9632570
    Abstract: A data processing device may receive, from an application running on the data processing device, an indication that one or more sensors may be associated with a user input for the application. Based on sensing information collected from the one or more sensors, a characteristic of the user input may be determined by the data processing device. The data processing device may refrain from entering a sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input matches a specific characteristic condition specified by the application. The data processing device may allow entering the sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input does not match the specific characteristic condition for a specific timeout period specified by the application. The data processing device may receive the indication, information on the specific characteristic condition and/or information on the specific timeout period via invoking, by the application, one or more application programming interfaces (APIs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kenneth Hobbs, Alex Ainslie
  • Patent number: 9592446
    Abstract: Play information storing play information about an electronic game is transmitted to a client. In response to access from the client, the game effectiveness of the electronic game for a user having accessed from the client is determined. When the game effectiveness for the user holds true, an operation of the electronic game by the user is allowed. When the game effectiveness for the user does not hold true, an operation of the electronic game by the user is not allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DENA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Bono, Takashi Ninjouji
  • Patent number: 9586148
    Abstract: An example system includes an object controlling unit that controls operations of objects based on input manipulations, and a noncompetitive relationship setting unit that sets a noncompetitive relationship for two objects in the competition of the game when a predetermined operation is performed between these two objects. That system performs processing regarding the game in which plural objects compete in accordance with the input manipulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9573052
    Abstract: A position information acquiring unit acquires position information relating to positions of a plurality of body parts of a player. A determination unit determines whether or not the at least one of the plurality of body parts exists within a determination region including the reference position at a time point corresponding to the reference time. A body part information acquiring unit acquires body part information relating to a kind of the at least one of the plurality of body parts determined to exist within the determination region. An evaluation unit evaluates gameplay of the player based on the kind of the at least one of the plurality of body parts acquired by the body part information acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Tarama, Manabu Hazama, Hayana Honda
  • Patent number: 9522322
    Abstract: A method and a system for a game are disclosed. The method includes steps displaying a determination region in at least one section distinguished by neighboring points, on a virtual passage formed by a plurality of points sequentially connected with each other. The method also includes displaying an object moving along the virtual passage on a screen, and determining an accuracy or success/failure of a user input based on a position of the object at a time when the user input is detected and a position of the determination region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: NHN ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, NHN PIXELCUBE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung Dae Hong, Moo Kwan Lee, Ju Hyun Lee, Jin Seok Oh, Eun Kyung Kim, Sang bok Kim
  • Patent number: 9421447
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a training method and apparatus for improving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FIRST PRINCIPLES, INC.
    Inventor: Keith A. Raniere
  • Patent number: 9415265
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products monitor athletic performance. Location information is acquired that indicates a device is in movement. A level of difficulty associated with the location information is retrieved and associated to a distance traversed during the movement. The distance traversed and the level of difficulty are stored in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Aaron, John Ruckart
  • Patent number: 9395750
    Abstract: A wearable apparatus includes a flexible display device, and a flexible housing that holds the peripheral portion of the flexible display device. The flexible display device is disposed on the uppermost surface of the apparatus to serve as a reference for defining the total length of the apparatus, and the portion of the apparatus below the flexible display device contracts along the direction of the total length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Saitoh, Yukinari Inoue, Shuichi Sugawara, Hiroto Nishida, Yuuichi Oomura, Hideyasu Uchiyama, Ko Kondo
  • Patent number: 9378613
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a wagering game system account associated with a player should be awarded a system-wide game modifier based on the players system-wide gaming activity. The operations can also include determining when the player selects each wagering game of a plurality of wagering games selected by the player for play via the wagering game system. The operations can further include, for each wagering game of the plurality of wagering games selected by the player via the wagering game system, determining that the wagering game system account associated with the player has been awarded the system-wide game modifier, and modifying the wagering game based on predefined game modification specifications associated with the wagering game and the system-wide game modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Sudhir Bejawada, Thor E. Perplies
  • Patent number: 9364758
    Abstract: An information processing device is configured to execute: setting a protective state for protecting a character from a danger in a game; setting a moving direction of the character in the protective state to a predetermined direction; detecting that the character in the protective state is overlapping with an obstacle in a virtual world; and correcting the moving direction that has been set by the action setting when the obstacle is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Miyama
  • Patent number: 9333418
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a user selection of a musical piece; providing performance cues to a user to perform musical events on a musical instrument, wherein the performance cues are synchronized to expert performance data of the musical piece; receiving audio data corresponding to musical events performed by the user on the musical instrument; detecting fundamental frequencies associated with the user-performed musical events; determining an extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; providing real-time or near real-time audio feedback and/or visual feedback indicating the extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; and using the expert performance data as real-time or near real-time audible or real-time or near real-time visual feedback; reporting user performance data of a session to a server; and storing the user performance data in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: The Way of H, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Lee, Roger B. Dannenberg
  • Patent number: 9330575
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a computer program product and processor based computing system that provides processing means for executing coded instructions and input means for interacting with said processing means to create a virtual welding environment. The system establishes an objective to change a functional or operational state of a virtual article, and directs the end user to perform at least one virtual welding operation for changing its functional state. The system trains new users and inexperienced welders on the fundamental aspects of welding and other technical aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Peters, Deanna Postlethwaite, Matthew Wayne Wallace
  • Patent number: 9317660
    Abstract: The present invention provides a group monitoring device for monitoring a plurality of individuals engaged in an athletic activity, the device including a display configured to display, during an athletic activity: a metric relating to each of a plurality of individuals engaged in the athletic activity, and a status of a system component used to monitor the athletic activity. The group monitoring device may also include an input configured to allow manipulation of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Meg Susan Burich, Qaizar Hassonjee, Roger Armitage, Markus Strecker
  • Patent number: 9308458
    Abstract: A player participating in a network game moves a player character of the player by manipulating a video game apparatus of the player. As the player performs an autopilot operation, the video game apparatus moves the player character as an autopilot PC. A server apparatus manages the game which progresses according to the movement of each character, and transmits progress information of the game to the video game apparatus of each player participating in the network game. The movement of the autopilot PC is decided based on an action log recording the action of the player character responding to the manipulation of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Jin Fujisawa, Takashi Anzai, Yoichi Kuroda, Yoshitaka Katsume
  • Patent number: 9306999
    Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for sessions with participants and providers. For example, in one embodiment, a provider can interact with multiple participants to conduct interactive treatment sessions. Further, a participant can interact with multiple providers to conduct interactive treatment sessions. For the interactive treatment sessions, motion data and video data of the participant can be simultaneously displayed to the provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brian R. Landwehr, Cullen Davis, Sandy Johnson, Arrianne Hoyland, Shane Huston, David Kaminski, Robert Plourde, Timothy Arnal, Andrew Chester
  • Patent number: 9305531
    Abstract: An online real-time session is conducted between at least two electronic music devices each equipped with an interface and a touch panel display for displaying a plurality of performance operators. The same displayed content is shared in real time between electronic music devices by mutually transmitting operation information representing a user's operation on a performance operator, so that the operational state of the performance operator of one electronic music device is reflected in the counterpart electronic music device. A setting operator is used to select a desired music section corresponding to one layer or a combination of layers subjected to simultaneous music performance. The electronic music device generates sound in response to a short press given to a performance operator, while the electronic music device sets a tone-generation point to a performance operator pertaining to a long press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Miwa
  • Patent number: 9304652
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual space determines a representation of the virtual space based on information defining a personality of a character within the virtual space and/or information indicating a user's personality. The system and method may also determine the information defining the character's personality based on information regarding the user and/or information regarding the character. In some examples, the system and method may further determine information to facilitate a development of the user based on the information describing the user's personality. The system and method may also determine the user's personality based on information indicating user's personality. In some examples, the user's personality may be determined based on user's experiences within the virtual space. In some other examples, the user's personality may be determined based on information regarding the user that is acquired from sources external to the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLIFECT INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John A. Lundin, Daniel Westfall
  • Patent number: 9302152
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus including a video display. In certain embodiments the apparatus includes an integrated platform. Memory within the apparatus contains a library of instructional exercise programs, such as yoga, Pilates, body toning and stretching routines. The apparatus may also connect to a network, such as the Internet to stream and/or download additional exercise programs. A user interface enables the user to select from available programs, which are shown on the video display. Audio for the programs may be provided via speakers or though headphones, which may be rechargeable and/or wireless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Yoga Today LLC
    Inventors: Scott Alan Blum, Kimberly Jane Whitman
  • Patent number: 9295909
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a non-transitory storage medium encoded with a computer-readable information processing program for performing information processing in which a first object moves and at least one second object moves in accordance with the movement of the first object in virtual space. The information processing program is configured to cause the computer to function as an input acceptance unit for accepting an input, a first object movement control unit for performing movement control of the first object in the virtual space based on the input, a range calculation unit for calculating a movable range where the second object can move in the virtual space, based on a position of the first object moved by the first object movement control unit, and a second object movement control unit for performing movement control of the second object based on the movable range calculated by the range calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Kando
  • Patent number: 9292892
    Abstract: A computer gaming system and method is claimed. The computer gaming system includes a plurality of client devices and at least two displays are associated with each client device. Input commands are received at each client device. Server based gaming programs are hosted on the server, which receive the input commands from each client device and generate at least one output image that is communicated to each client device. A first server based gaming program receives at least one first input command and generates a first plurality of output images that are communicated to a first client device; the first images are presented on the first display corresponding to the first client device. The second server based gaming program receives at least one second input command and generates a second plurality of output images that are communicated to the first client device; the second images are presented on the second display corresponding to the first client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. Wiltshire, James J. Lisenbee, Jayant S. Karmarkar, Timothy A. Wiltshire
  • Patent number: 9278286
    Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryn Bennett, Jason D. Booth, Sylvain Dubrofsky
  • Patent number: 9262856
    Abstract: Content may be provided within a virtual space responsive to user characters performing available actions solicited via visual indications within the virtual space. One or more available actions may be determined. A given available action may include an action that is available to be performed by one or more user characters within the virtual space. Individual ones of the one or more available actions may be solicited via visual indications of the respective available actions. Performance of individual available actions by one or more user characters may be effectuated responsive to one or more conditions being satisfied. Content may be presented in the virtual space responsive to performance of at least one of the available actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Crocker, Robert Todd Ogrin, Jacob D. Wagaman, Christian P. Shrigley
  • Patent number: 9227143
    Abstract: A game control server apparatus includes an evolution information storing unit that stores a base character, a partner character and an evolved character associated with each other, the base character being converted to the evolved character by combining the base character and the partner character; and an evolution process management unit that coverts, upon accepting an evolution instruction of a base character possessed by a first player by combining the base character and a partner character possessed by another second player to evolve the base character from the first player, the base character to an evolved character that is associated with the base character and the partner character using the partner character of the second player under a condition that a process of paying reward from the first player to the second player is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuro Yoda
  • Patent number: 9218748
    Abstract: A system and method for providing exercise in playing a music instrument. With prior art solutions there is a common problem of inadequate motivation of the user to continue practicing, and inadequate learning of items which are difficult for a specific user. The present solution detects characteristics of the user's play detected and uses them to provide a suitable program of exercises and to provide feedback which enhances motivation of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: YOUSICIAN OY
    Inventors: Mikko Kaipainen, Christoph Thur
  • Patent number: 9216345
    Abstract: A prize placement section includes a first plate-like member having a side on which a prize is placed, and a frame member that supports the first plate-like member, the frame member including a frame-side attachment section that is adapted to removably attach the frame member to an apparatus-side attachment section provided in a game space, and the frame-side attachment section being positioned so that the frame member can be attached to the apparatus-side attachment section from above when the first plate-like member is not supported by the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Shiino, Makiko Sakurai, Shigeharu Goto, Akihiro Ohi
  • Patent number: 9205325
    Abstract: Systems and methods can support a prize-based digital advertising system. The system can receive advertising material associated with an offering from an advertiser. The advertising materials may be presented on one or more public display devices associated with a client system. Game play opportunities associated with the advertising material and the offering may be presented on the one or more public display devices. The client system can support game play by a user at the one or more public display devices. The user may be provided with a discount towards purchasing the offering. The user may also be provided the offering as a prize in response to achieving specified game play performance such as winning or placing within a tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Priatek, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ramos, Milind S. Bharvirkar
  • Patent number: 9199167
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a micon, and the micon measures step counts in correspondence with the magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor when a user carries the game apparatus in a sleep mode in which the apparatus is closed. The step counts are converted into earned coins. In each of a plurality of games executed by the game apparatus, by using the earned coins, a special item is purchased, playing in a special course is permitted, a hint is displayed, and a game is played in fast-forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Kanako Tsugihashi, Ryutaro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9155969
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Gary
  • Patent number: 9144736
    Abstract: A game control technique with high entertainment value is provided. In a game device, a confirmation sound output unit assigns a sound to each type of an operation input from a player; and upon the reception of the operation input from the player, the confirmation sound output unit outputs the sound assigned to the operation input. A command memory unit stores a plurality of types and patterns of the rhythms of the operation input in association with commands which is issued upon the reception of the operation inputs. A command determination unit acquires the type and rhythm of the operation input from the player and determines whether the type and rhythm of the operation input match the pattern stored in the command memory unit. A repetition unit outputs the sound corresponding to the pattern when the operation input from the player is determined to match the pattern stored in the command determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kotani
  • Patent number: 9101839
    Abstract: The game apparatus displays on a television a scene in which a pirate shoots an arrow at a first timing. Next, the game apparatus determines, at a second timing which is a timing after a predetermined time period has elapsed from the first timing, whether the attitude of a terminal device is an attitude in accordance with an instruction issued by the pirate when the pirate shot the arrow at the first timing. When the attitude of the terminal device is the attitude in accordance with the instruction issued by the pirate, the game apparatus displays a scene in which the arrow has reached the screen of the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Goro Abe
  • Patent number: 9072970
    Abstract: A system and method for valuating a player in a fantasy draft based on user-defined league rules are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises storing a list of players, each player associated with a base value, receiving one or more user-defined rules for the draft, and determining adjusted values for each of the list of players based at least in part on base values of the players and the user-defined rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Nathaniel Sloan
  • Patent number: 9044148
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a heart of a patient, the includes receiving signals indicative of cardiac activity of the patient during a monitoring period; and processing the signals and providing monitoring results in response to a result of the processing; wherein the monitoring results comprise information indicative of: (a) the heart rate of the patient during the monitoring period; (b) at least one first time period in which the heart rate of the patient exceeds a first threshold; and (c) at least one second time period in which the heart rate of the patient exceeds both the first threshold and a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: LIFEWATCH TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: George Michelson, Melissa Petrucci
  • Publication number: 20150148113
    Abstract: A method for user specific, rehabilitative video gaming, receiving the following information: a rehabilitative therapy plan for the user, the rehabilitative therapy plan comprising multiple different physical exercises; a list of past games played by the user and exercises included in the games to determine a level of familiarity of the user with the games and exercises; past performance scores for each exercise performed by the user, then automatically translating the received information into a video game configured for execution by a motion recognition gaming system, by selecting a set of one or more games that include all the exercises required by the therapy plan; selecting a mode of operation for execution of the games by the user; selecting a help level for each exercise in the game; and enabling the user to conduct an interactive gaming session using the selected games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: David Moshe KLEIN, Eytan Sabari Majar
  • Publication number: 20150141102
    Abstract: Provided is a game machine that can expand the range of play actions demanded of a player. The game machine is provided with an input apparatus including four play operation units, and provides a music game that demands of the player a predetermined operation of each play operation unit. The game machine is provided with: a vibration sensor that detects a predetermined operation of each play operation unit; and an optical sensor that detects player actions during play of the music game. Also, the game machine evaluates the predetermined operation of the player on the basis of the detection results of the vibration sensor and evaluates player actions that are correlated with the predetermined operation on the basis of the detection results of the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Yuichi Asami, Hayana Honda, Shuhei Arai, Yohei Takahashi, Yoshiko Ichijo