tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-119559872024-03-13T12:18:25.880-04:00Patent ArcadeIn the business of video games, intellectual property protection is critical to success, and Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks are the bricks with which your IP portfolio is built. The Patent Arcade is the web's primary resource for video game IP law, news, cases, and commentary.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18223994184316733477noreply@blogger.comBlogger866125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-79813555904856863662019-08-13T10:00:00.000-04:002019-08-13T10:00:03.549-04:00U.S. Patent No. 9,616,329: Adaptive learning system for video game enhancement<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 9,616,329: Adaptive learning system for video game enhancement</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued April 11, 2017, to Electronic Arts, Inc. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date June 28, 2012</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTWs2aLibB-nF0am9ddfYe9CaGYdlzIUiolxoD02udq-iB9MD5USpLVQtqOMir8iE7_n4Izwif5LnCzlbCdDRkmTYHU1KWg82AKfqs5xenalKMr9uK5_vpaQ5FYZmvgUEtW8i/s1600/Pages+from+US9616329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTWs2aLibB-nF0am9ddfYe9CaGYdlzIUiolxoD02udq-iB9MD5USpLVQtqOMir8iE7_n4Izwif5LnCzlbCdDRkmTYHU1KWg82AKfqs5xenalKMr9uK5_vpaQ5FYZmvgUEtW8i/s400/Pages+from+US9616329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US9616329B2/en?oq=9616329">U.S. Patent No. 9,616,329</a> (the '329 Patent) describes a system for adaptive learning in a video game engine. AI opponents often fail to replicate the adaptive learning abilities of a human opponent. A human can quickly analyze an opponent's strategy and adjust easily. The '329 Patent hopes to change that by providing a system to implement adaptive learning into a video game. According to the patent, the game will begin to record the gameplay of an initial match. Upon completion of the match, the system will analyze the recording for key moments and player habits which lead to the outcome. For example, in <i>Madden</i>, the game will analyze the sequence and moments that allowed the human player to score a touchdown. The resulting analysis and recorded sequence are stored within the system's memory. During the second match, the system uses the recording to identify human player's habits. Using the analysis from earlier, the computer opponent adjusts its tactics to counter the human player. The player may find that the running play that once scored touchdowns is no longer a viable option.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
Techniques are disclosed that can capture sequences of player input in response to situations confronting a player of a video game while playing the video game on a game console. A game engine within the game console may associate an archetype with the captured sequences. The outcomes of the captured sequences are determined with respect to the game situations and a score is applied to the captured sequences based on the outcomes. The captured sequences, the outcomes and the scores are stored in a runtime memory within the game console used to play the video game. Upon completion of the video game, the stored captured sequences, the outcomes and the scores may be downloaded and stored to an external memory associated with the game console. Subsequent video game sessions may load the captured sequences, the outcomes and the scores into the runtime memory to be used in the next session.<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. A method comprising: during runtime execution of a video game application on a computing device, the video game application comprising a virtual environment, capturing sequences of player input in response to one or more virtual events confronting a player controlled virtual agent within the virtual environment of the video game application; for individual captured sequences, determining an outcome of the captured sequence with respect to a virtual event of the one or more virtual events; applying a score to the captured sequence based, at least in part, on the outcome; storing the captured sequence, the outcome, and the score in a runtime memory within the computing device used to play the video game application; in response to a virtual event confronting a computer controlled virtual agent within the virtual environment, identifying one or more captured sequences based, at least in part, on a game status and computer controlled virtual agent status associated with the virtual event confronting the computer controlled virtual agent; selecting a captured sequence from the one or more captured sequences based, at least in part, on the scores and outcomes associated with the individual sequences; and executing the selected captured sequence by the computer controlled virtual agent in response to the virtual event confronting the computer controlled virtual agent within the virtual environment.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-65566366224241213832019-08-06T10:00:00.000-04:002019-08-06T10:00:00.819-04:00U.S. Patent No. 5,885,156: Video game apparatus, method of controlling the growth of play character in video game, and video game medium therefor<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. Patent No. 5,885,156: Video game apparatus, method of controlling the growth of play character in video game, and video game medium therefor</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued March 23, 1999, to Konami Holding Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date November 24, 1995</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HZUWP2CZrSeoltRhxGtHk5Kj-6EqfbB6J6i1XJk8jihDsCGjWp-QdJBN_vwc3ey98TI3Ea7Qkw-eeiLwuOG4qpr7PqCTkH2ASyFje-ofHkl9_H31qU-fiXygMq5BJpiowDpZ/s1600/Pages+from+US5885156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HZUWP2CZrSeoltRhxGtHk5Kj-6EqfbB6J6i1XJk8jihDsCGjWp-QdJBN_vwc3ey98TI3Ea7Qkw-eeiLwuOG4qpr7PqCTkH2ASyFje-ofHkl9_H31qU-fiXygMq5BJpiowDpZ/s320/Pages+from+US5885156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US5885156A/en?oq=5885156">U.S. Patent No. 5,885,156</a> (the '156 Patent) describes a method for achieving experience points through dialog. The '156 Patent specifically relates to Konami's <i>Pawapuro</i> or <i>Power Pros</i> series, which is a baseball game that features some role-playing game elements. <i>Power Pros </i>features a mode called "Success Mode," which entailed users playing the life of an up-and-coming baseball player. Users start off with low stats and must train to become a better player. Part of the mode is managing the baseball player's social life as well. The game generates random events that impact the baseball player's stats. The '156 Patent describes the method of how the social events affect the player's stats. For every random event, a set of options are given to the user, each generating a different outcome. The user earns experience points for choosing an option, but not every option is treated equally. Some options may give players more experience points than others, while some may hurt a player's stats. Every play-through of "Success Mode" is different because the events are randomly generated.<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
A game cartridge is inserted into a game device, and a controller is operated to display and perform a game stored in the game cartridge on a display monitor. The game cartridge has a ROM for storing a game program and a RAM for storing data of a play character having unique abilities. The controller is operated to instruct a play character to repeat various patterns of speech and action to increase the number of "remaining experience credits". Obtained "remaining experience credits" are assigned to abilities of the play characters to achieve desired ability values for thereby growing the play character until it develops unique abilities.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b></b><br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>7. A method of controlling growth of a player character in a video game performed by a video game apparatus having a display unit for displaying said player character and player event patterns of of said player character, and menus corresponding to said player event patterns, an input control unit for permitting a video game player to select said menus, event memory means for storing said player event patterns selected by said input control unit, and event control means for reading said player event patterns selected by said input control unit from said event memory means and controlling said player character to perform said player event patterns, said method comprising the steps of: imparting a number of at least one type of credit to said player character; varying said number of said at least one type of credit by a variance amount selected based on a random probability from a range of amounts depending on said player event patterns selected by said input control unit; storing said number of said at least one type of credit after said varying; permitting said video game player to operate said input control unit to distribute said number of said at least one type of credit to a plurality of ability values representing a plurality of abilities of said player character; and storing said ability values with said number of said at least one type of credit distributed thereto.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-43260216640546330862019-07-30T10:00:00.000-04:002019-07-30T10:00:06.025-04:00U.S. Patent No. 9,061,205: Music video game with user directed sound generation<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 9,061,205: Music video game with user directed sound generation</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued June 23, 2015, to Activision Publishing, Inc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date July 14, 2008</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxqMVZH0EYNkDjr31fQ4o5M-mekj0M2IFrXCt95bNwQ_zwOpzN2fcfB20R-l8-zibZMxVG2lml9RRBKkPQcF97xWBl0BuV1FkowANPbF7Ouq6adHUXNk1MwWJLSxjg6MUc0gf/s1600/Pages+from+US9061205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1502" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxqMVZH0EYNkDjr31fQ4o5M-mekj0M2IFrXCt95bNwQ_zwOpzN2fcfB20R-l8-zibZMxVG2lml9RRBKkPQcF97xWBl0BuV1FkowANPbF7Ouq6adHUXNk1MwWJLSxjg6MUc0gf/s320/Pages+from+US9061205.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US9061205B2/en?oq=9061205">U.S. Patent No. 9,061,205</a> (the '205 Patent) describes a method to add more variety in a music rhythm game during a free play routine. Music rhythm games like Guitar Hero often feature a free play feature. The '205 describes a method where if the player holds the plastic guitar in a certain position during free play, the game will enter into a different mode. Pointing the head of the guitar downward would access a power chord mode. The game would mute the normal audio sample and begin to play a power chord version of the same song. The idea is to recreate the artistic nature that takes place during live performances. A real guitarist can add or subtract elements from a song while playing, and that is the type of freedom the '205 Patent aims to give players.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div>
A music based video game provides a user directed sound generation feature. In some embodiments, the user is provided a video game controller simulating a musical instrument, which the user may operate similarly to its real musical instrument counterpart. A free play feature is provided for users to operate the video game controller, where a processor of a video game console receives input signals from the video game controller and outputs audio samples based on the received input signals. During the free play feature, multiple suggestions as to how to operate the video game controller are simultaneously provided to give users some guidance as to what to play using the video game controller.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A method of generating audio tracks in a music video game, comprising: receiving a first input signal indicating status of a first plurality of input devices of a video game controller; outputting a polyphonic audio compilation based on the first input signal, the polyphonic audio compilation including at least two audio tracks featuring a sequence of notes or chords of different instruments; receiving a second input signal indicating status of a second plurality of input devices of the video game controller; selecting at least one of the at least two audio tracks based on the second input signal; and muting the at least one of the at least two audio tracks.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-80046368685785677792019-07-23T10:00:00.000-04:002019-07-23T10:00:01.742-04:00U.S. Patent No. 5,390,937: Video game apparatus, method and device for controlling same<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 5,390,937: Video game apparatus, method and device for controlling same</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued February 21, 1995, to Square Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date July 16, 1991</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MHaOLV536XacScmiXJv8mbWZRTkg9RXBd3H6_cZpBfrwVl7JUKTRgDY-NJX_hQpF_TovreRrTgNtxZ_s_G2vkMnGNlZzH9-RVdOOtwOFRt05Bg7zZC-jeKOo6oU0EtlpOUHd/s1600/Pages+from+US5390937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1560" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MHaOLV536XacScmiXJv8mbWZRTkg9RXBd3H6_cZpBfrwVl7JUKTRgDY-NJX_hQpF_TovreRrTgNtxZ_s_G2vkMnGNlZzH9-RVdOOtwOFRt05Bg7zZC-jeKOo6oU0EtlpOUHd/s400/Pages+from+US5390937.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US5390937A/en?oq=5390937">U.S. Patent No. 5,390,937</a> (the '937 Patent) describes the active battle system found in games like <i>Final Fantasy IV</i> or <i>Chrono Trigger</i>. Traditionally, RPG's used a turn-based battle system, where each character has to wait for their turn to attack. Turn order is based on who has the highest agility or speed stat. The active battle system, as described by the '937 Patent, scrapes the traditional turns for constant action. Player characters and enemies can attack at any time in an active battle system. A timer governs when each character may attack. The active battle system creates a dynamic feeling compared to the static nature of a turn-based system. Players must choose their next move wisely because of the unpredictable nature of when the next attack will occur. <br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div>
Disclosed in a video game of enhanced realism in which actual combat is closely simulated. The game is so adapted that an enemy character on a display screen may launch an attack against a player character on the same screen, even while the player character is in the process of inputting a command, at elapse of a set time period specific to the enemy character. The attack is made without an interruption in the flow of time of the game.<b></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. In a video game apparatus in which a player character and an enemy character are displayed on a display screen of a display unit and the player character and enemy character carry out attacks on each other in accordance with an inputted action command or a predetermined action schedule, a method of controlling the video game apparatus comprising the steps of: clocking a time, which has been stipulated for each character, from the end of a previous action of a character; generating a signal for character when the time clocked in said clocking step is equal to or greater than a predetermined time assigned to that character; allowing, in response to said generated signal, input of an action command if the character is a player character, and processing in accordance with the inputted action command; and processing, in response to said generated signal, an action in accordance with the predetermined action schedule if the character is an enemy character.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-32035637536051239242019-07-16T10:00:00.000-04:002019-07-16T10:00:03.771-04:00U.S. Patent No. 5,805,784: Computer story generation system and method using network of re-usable substories<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 5,805,784: Computer story generation system and method using network of re-usable substories</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued September 8, 1998, to Christopher C. Crawford</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date September 28, 1994</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYxf3m-AaRzW4CLkVEREtEWPWp6X2ZMSMvzvSvKji7e0PT9p8ld0cvx7J2jNUXMvAytSfzXKEQv5BA8Wpu4QQRS6svE5VYwpwEvPrNFSvAbBCvMIdoA_POeZhanMe-eE0I65Z/s1600/Pages+from+US5805784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1086" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYxf3m-AaRzW4CLkVEREtEWPWp6X2ZMSMvzvSvKji7e0PT9p8ld0cvx7J2jNUXMvAytSfzXKEQv5BA8Wpu4QQRS6svE5VYwpwEvPrNFSvAbBCvMIdoA_POeZhanMe-eE0I65Z/s400/Pages+from+US5805784.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<div>
U.S. Patent No. 5,805,784 (the '784 Patent) describes a method and system for creating procedurally generated storylines. The system ties together a bunch of substories to create a larger throughline. A key aspect of the '784 Patent is that each substory is reusable meaning that every substory can be executed by any character and involve any character. For example, substory #1 could be about Character A looking for Character B, or vice-versa, Character B looking for Character A. Substory #1 could also involve Character B looking for Character C. There are an initial set of substories that all the characters start in. After completing the initial substory, the character moves to the next substory. The computer system generates a plan list that maps out the substory path the character follows. The plan list can change depending on actions taken by the player. Creating a generated plan which can change results in dynamic storytelling where a player could play the same character twice and experience two different stories. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b></b><br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
The storyline of a dynamically generated entertainment program, such as a video game, is generated using a matrix of reusable storyline fragments called substories. A set of characters that participate in the storyline is established and a set of reusable substories is defined. Each substory represents a "fragment of a story", usually involving an action by a subject, where the subject is one of the characters. Most substories can be reused multiple times with different ones of the characters being the subject and different ones of the characters being the direct object of the substory. Each substory has a set of possible reaction substories, which are a subset of the defined substories. A plan list stores plan data indicating ones of the substories to be performed at specified times. An initial "seed story" in the form of an initial set of substories is stored in the plan list. The substories stored in the plan list are executed at times corresponding to their respective specified times. For at least a subset of the executed substories, the end user of the system is either shown a video image representing the executed substory or is otherwise informed of the executed substory. In reaction to each executed substory, plans to perform additional ones of the substories are generated. The additional substories are ones of the set of possible reaction substories for each executed substory. Each plan to perform an additional substory is assigned a specified time and plan data representing the plan is stored in the plan list.<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A method of generating a sequence of images representing a dynamically generated story line, comprising: establishing a set of characters; defining a set of re-usable substories, a multiplicity of the substories representing an action by a subject comprising a selectable one of the characters where the action is performed with respect to at least one object comprising at least a selectable one of the characters; for each substory, establishing a set of possible reaction substories comprising a subset of the set of re-usable substories; establishing a plan list for storing plans indicating ones of the substories to be performed; storing in the plan list an initial set of plans, each of the stored plans representing a substory to be performed; executing ones of the substories represented by the plans stored in the plan list; establishing a physical position for each of the characters and updating the characters' physical positions during the executing step; establishing a current time and advancing the current time during the executing step; generating, in reaction to each executed substory, additional plans to perform additional ones of the substories wherein the additional substories comprise selected ones of the set of possible reaction substories for the executed substory; and storing the generated plans in the plan list; the plan list at times storing a multiplicity of the generated plans; the generating plans step including receiving, in reaction to at least a subset of the executed substories, input from an end user and selecting at least a subset of the additional substories in accordance with the end user input; the plan generating step including assigning each generated plan an earliest execution time and a set of associated characters including a subject and an object, wherein the subject and object are each a specified one of the characters; each stored plan in the plan list including the assigned earliest execution time, subject and object, such that at various times at least a subset of the plans in the plan list have respective earliest execution times that are later than the current time; at least a subset of the generated plans comprising deferred plans, where each deferred plan's execution is deferred because its earliest execution time is later than the current time and/or its associated characters are not physically proximate each other; the executing step including selecting for execution one plan from those of the stored plans in the plan list whose associated earliest execution time is at least as early as the current time and that meet opportunity availability criteria, the opportunity availability criteria including a requirement that the characters associated with the one plan have physical positions that are proximate to one another; wherein the generated plans are executed in a different order than those generated plans are added to the plan list by the generated plans storing step.<div class="claim style-scope patent-text" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto",sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="claim style-scope patent-text" num="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333;">
<div class="claim-text style-scope patent-text" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-80005907737036122792019-07-09T10:00:00.000-04:002019-07-09T10:00:00.410-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,858,328: Storage medium having game program stored therein, hand-held game apparatus, game system, and game method<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,858,328: Storage medium having game program stored therein, hand-held game apparatus, game system, and game method</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued October 14, 2014, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date June 2, 2010</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB_ecaB5cClBSyFtNYDwZGLuD_PUI0Eam-_rZvpKcQhsRnZ6DjwpMfhIPRj9IGq7E4xQ1CUcEAVWirJoZwWrJgdYnMgohU_sUQB7O_Wb8554YXYHkkbyYmmUWdrgSZGbIjiKn/s1600/Pages+from+US8858328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1473" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB_ecaB5cClBSyFtNYDwZGLuD_PUI0Eam-_rZvpKcQhsRnZ6DjwpMfhIPRj9IGq7E4xQ1CUcEAVWirJoZwWrJgdYnMgohU_sUQB7O_Wb8554YXYHkkbyYmmUWdrgSZGbIjiKn/s320/Pages+from+US8858328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8858328B2/en?oq=8858328">U.S. Patent No. 8,858,328</a> (the '328 Patent) describes a game that uses real pictures as the basis for the puzzle. Using the Nintendo DSi, the player takes a picture that the system converts into the puzzle. The system divides the image into sections assigning each section a number. The numbers corresponded to the sections' original location. Once the system determines the starting points, it shuffles the sections. The player must rearrange the picture sections to their original position to complete the puzzle. Players can adjust the difficulty by increasing the number of sections. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program including: a step of setting a puzzle area to be cut from an image taken by an outer camera; a step of setting the division number representing the number of portions into which the puzzle area is divided in accordance with a stage; a step of generating one-dimensional arrangement data representing a state in which puzzle pieces are positioned at random: a step of executing a game process by updating the one-dimensional arrangement data of the puzzle pieces which are selected based on a tilt of the game apparatus; and a step of switching, in accordance with the one-dimensional arrangement data, texture coordinate data of the puzzle pieces calculated based on a tilt of a virtual camera, and displaying an obtained image.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a game program executed by a computer of a hand-held game apparatus including an imaging device and a display device, the game program causing the computer to perform at least: sequentially acquiring taken-image data representing a plurality of taken-images which are taken by the imaging device; image dividing, into a plurality of small areas, an image of a predetermined area in a taken-image which is one of said plurality of taken-images represented by the acquired taken-image data; positioning, in the predetermined area, the plurality of small areas into which the image of the predetermined area is divided, so as to form an image different from the taken-image which is taken by the imaging device and is one of said plurality of taken-images; retaining a positioning state in which the plurality of small areas are positioned, by using, as an initial value, an obtained positioning state; image changing for sequentially changing, by using the taken-image data having been sequentially acquired, images to be displayed on the plurality of small areas, respectively, of which the positioning state is retained; display control for causing the display device to display images changed by the image changing; changing the positioning state of the plurality of small areas, which is retained, in accordance with an operation performed by a user viewing the images displayed by the display device; determining whether or not the positioning state of the plurality of small areas, which is changed, satisfies a predetermined condition; and a game process for performing a predetermined game process in accordance with a result of a determination of whether or not the positioning state of the plurality of small areas, which is changed, satisfies a predetermined condition.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-11194250591359366762019-07-02T10:00:00.000-04:002019-07-02T10:00:01.395-04:00U.S. Patent No. 4,738,451: Multi-player, multi-character cooperative play video game with independent player entry and departure<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 4,738,451: Multi-player, multi-character cooperative play video game with independent player entry and departure</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued April 19, 1988, to Atari Games Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date May 20, 1986</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIs4kQ_U6KeQodOL-jRxFY9WHo7TDtBthEw-hvncmOqXv3X3GflGtIayqATAGgBMjz7m4H6kQzYiinRicvAq6pwSIhKGa24GJc7A5IGSOOVKY-eV3-7AFOtbA4-G0Vqae6jJ-/s1600/Pages+from+US4738451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIs4kQ_U6KeQodOL-jRxFY9WHo7TDtBthEw-hvncmOqXv3X3GflGtIayqATAGgBMjz7m4H6kQzYiinRicvAq6pwSIhKGa24GJc7A5IGSOOVKY-eV3-7AFOtbA4-G0Vqae6jJ-/s400/Pages+from+US4738451.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Summary:</b></div>
<div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US4738451A/en?oq=4738451">U.S. Patent No. 4,738,451</a> describes the gameplay of the <i>Gauntlet</i> series, where multi-players navigate a maze. <i>Gauntlet</i> was a four-player dungeon crawler. Each player would select a fantasy troupe with unique abilities. In the first <i>Gauntlet</i>, each player was forced to take a different troupe, but in <i>Gauntlet II</i>, everyone in the party could be wizards if they desired. The players would need to cooperate with each other to escape. Progress could only be made if the players move together since all the characters must remain visible on the screen. Locking the camera with all the characters created a competitive cooperation feeling in the game. Even though all the players had to progress through the maze together, each player could independently control their character on the screen. There were game items the players could obtain to help their journey, but only a limited number of items are available to the players must choose who gets what. Players could also join or leave the game at any time. This patent was reissued in 1996 which we covered <a href="http://www.patentarcade.com/2013/07/us-patent-no-re35314-multi-player-multi.html">here</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Abstract:</b></div>
A multi-player, multi-character video game where the game rules force the players to cooperate in negotiating the maze at least until the characters reach a portion of the maze where a specific objective is located. Certain limited resources to change the attributes of the characters or to increase their longevity are displayed in a maze. The players may compete to obtain possession of these limited resources when the characters have cooperated in their movements sufficiently to move to the location of the limited resources. Cooperation among the characters is forced by forcing all characters active in the game to remain visible in the displayed window. Players may enter the game at any time, and they may leave the game at any time without affecting the status of the game or the status of the other characters in the game. All active players may simultaneously, independently control their characters so long as they do not attempt to move their characters outside the currently displayed window.<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b></div>
<div>
1. A video game comprising: a central processing unit; a video display; a plurality of sets of controls coupled to said central processing unit; sofware means run by said central processing unit and coupled to said controls, and to said video display for reading player input from said controls and generating, storing, changing and outputting data for causing said video display to display a maze populated by a plurality of different kinds of characters each having attributes, said maze also being populated by a plurality of attribute-affecting entities including monsters, each said character having attributes including longevity and abilities including the ability to fight and to move, said attributes defined by stored data, said longevity attribute defined by stored data and decreasing over time and when that character is damaged by a monster, and including means for displaying different types of resources having characteristics defined by stored data and displayed on said video display throughout said maze in quantities and loctions established by said software means, said resources increasing the longevity attribute or otherwise affecting the attributes of the first character which is displayed to have obtained possession of them, and for causing said video display to display action by said characters and said monsters in accordance with rules of said game implemented by the following included means: first means for allowing a plurality of players to each simultaneously and independently control the movements and actions of one of said plurality of characters in the video game via said controls; second means for allowing any one of said plurality of players to enter the game at any time and simultaneously and independently control the movements and actions of one of said characters independently of when the other players started playing or when any other said player or players stops playing; and third means for encouraging the players to cooperate during play by displaying on said video display only a window portion of said maze which is related to the relative positions of all the characters being active in that they are controlled by a player at that time and by not allowing any active character to move outside the bounds of said window portion and by moving the window portion to display different portions of said maze only so long as all the active characters are contained in said window portion.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-15606767133370618272019-06-25T10:00:00.000-04:002019-06-25T10:00:00.978-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,282,491: Game-based incentives for location-based actions<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,282,491: Game-based incentives for location-based actions</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued October 9, 2012, to Zynga, Inc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date August 13, 2010</div>
<b></b><b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6wOy0jX_PedddaYJgzNkcbtTS9RYXIgMq0SgZpIBcRxx4z0VId_PnUDgvgsMuk1PkP1uY_KM-DtO5E-EpGX-R9x0gMflRsXlM3VTbM-egWTeeSR0W88DJW7M8UGRmOYkGvWH/s1600/Pages+from+US8282491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6wOy0jX_PedddaYJgzNkcbtTS9RYXIgMq0SgZpIBcRxx4z0VId_PnUDgvgsMuk1PkP1uY_KM-DtO5E-EpGX-R9x0gMflRsXlM3VTbM-egWTeeSR0W88DJW7M8UGRmOYkGvWH/s320/Pages+from+US8282491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
Smart Phones have allowed people to play games anywhere. <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8282491B2/en?oq=8282491">U.S. Patent No. 8,282,491</a> (the '491 Patent) describes a method and system for giving in-game rewards to players for performing an action at a physical location. The game may give a player in-game currency for scanning the receipt for coffee from Starbucks. The '491 Patent relates more to how the game determines the reward for the player, than how the game determines a player's location. Rewards are determined based on the player's demographic information, how often the player visits the location, how often the player buys something from the location.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A method comprising: accessing a game state of one or more computer-implemented games associated with a user; determining, using at least one processor of a machine, an incentive reward for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the incentive reward being an in-game asset in the one or more computer-implemented games; determining a location-based action for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the location-based action being an action performable by the user at a physical location that is external to the one or more games; and transmitting, to a device associated with the user, a message comprising a description of the location-based action, a description of the incentive reward, and an offer of the incentive reward for performing the location-based action at the physical location.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. ThomasPatent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-77994964312188536892019-06-18T10:00:00.000-04:002019-06-18T10:00:06.151-04:00U.S. Patent No. 7,887,403: Method and system for controlling a game involving battles<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. Patent No. 7,887,403: Method and system for controlling a game involving battles</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued February 15, 2011, to Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date October 14, 2005</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjQlYTuFWtFIvSBIniLnDN7dsxs6KhdtQjoc-qnTokgdyMCgEOROMB0fux0nPxW07HSeyYKG_6Vtm-eLsmHFjBz0KWPnEZulIaEqJw114FVQb-3wKUrPWXP00v7q0Bo2fhvV/s1600/Pages+from+US7887403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1600" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjQlYTuFWtFIvSBIniLnDN7dsxs6KhdtQjoc-qnTokgdyMCgEOROMB0fux0nPxW07HSeyYKG_6Vtm-eLsmHFjBz0KWPnEZulIaEqJw114FVQb-3wKUrPWXP00v7q0Bo2fhvV/s400/Pages+from+US7887403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b></b><a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US7887403B2/en?oq=7887403">U.S. Patent No. 7,887,403</a> (the '403 Patent) describes an RPG battle system where player characters and enemies share magic points (MP). Traditionally, in an RPG every character is given their own MP. MP can be used for magic attacks that may have different effects than a standard attack. When a character no longer has any MP, that character may not cast any magic attacks. The '403 Patent describes a battle system where both sides share MP. Sharing MP could change a player's strategy in battle. Typically, players try to maintain their MP so their characters can keep performing magic attacks. With shared MP, a player may find it more beneficial in some situations to entirely drain the MP so an enemy character cannot cast any magic attacks of their own. <br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
In a game system, a PC control unit controls an attack on an enemy character by a player's character. An enemy character control unit controls an attack on the player's character by the enemy character. An MP management unit stores, in an MP storage, a current value of a magic point indicative of the power required for a magic attack and manages an increase and decrease in the current value of the magic point. The magic point stored in the MP storage is used commonly by the player's character and the enemy character. When the player's character attacks the enemy character and the enemy character attacks the player's character, the MP management unit subtracts a value required for the attack, from the current value of the magic point.<b><br /></b>
<b></b><br />
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
6. A game system comprising: a player's character control unit which controls an action of a player's character in a battle between the player's character and an enemy character; an enemy character control unit which controls an action of the enemy character in the battle; and a first point management unit which stores, in a first point storage, a current value of a first point indicative of a power required for achieving a specific ability in the battle and which manages an increase and decrease in the current value of the first point; and a second point management unit which stores, in a second point storage, a current value of a second point indicative of a vitality of the player's character and the enemy character and manages an increase and decrease in the current value of the second point, wherein when one character attacks on the other character, said second point management unit subtracts a predetermined value, as a damage caused by the attack, from the current value of the second point, said first point management unit adds a value calculated according to the damage caused by the attack, to the current value of the first point, the first point stored in the first point storage is shared by the player's character and the enemy character, and wherein when the player's character exercises the specific ability or the enemy character exercises the specific ability, said first point management unit subtracts a value required for the exercise of the specific ability, from the current value of the first point; and wherein when an action has been executed by a first character and thereafter the first character is attacked by a second character during a time duration until the action by the first character is completed, said first program code module which controls the action of the player's character and said second program code module which controls the action of the enemy character cancel the action by the first character and when the first point in the first point storage has been reduced by the action by the first character, said first program code module which controls the action of the player's character and said second program code module which controls the action of the enemy character restore the value by adding an value equivalent to the amount subtracted.<div class="claim-text style-scope patent-text" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto",sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-62735528976909720372019-06-11T12:50:00.000-04:002019-06-11T12:50:02.607-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,914,136: Game control program and game device<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,914,136: Game control program and game device</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued December 16, 2014, to Sega Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date January 27, 2009</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi3CNkTB_6rIME33neWTNgnPiT0bLuPFaAZYhvDOW9Oc7y3o6Ki2V9lmWojuA8oJp3i9xqT7E63G5CfWqNuyM9saBXHeDAA-kxCt9EwjPfz7CaoEn4M6fH2UA856Iau7EjiLQ/s1600/Pages+from+US8914136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi3CNkTB_6rIME33neWTNgnPiT0bLuPFaAZYhvDOW9Oc7y3o6Ki2V9lmWojuA8oJp3i9xqT7E63G5CfWqNuyM9saBXHeDAA-kxCt9EwjPfz7CaoEn4M6fH2UA856Iau7EjiLQ/s320/Pages+from+US8914136.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8914136B2/en?oq=8914136">U.S. Patent No. 8,914,136</a> (the '136 Patent) describes a method for dealing damage in a video game. A health bar is a means to communicate to the player how many hits the game's character can absorb before losing a life. Once the bar is depleted then the character loses a life. Typically games that use health bars do not distinguish between types of hits or damage. The '136 Patent describes a method for using health bars that uses two types of damages: fixed damage and scratch damage. Fixed damage is the traditional damage type, a player who is hit with a fixed damage attack has their health bar drained. Scratch damage does not immediately reduce the health bar like fixed damage. If a player gets hit with scratch damage, then a portion of the health bar turns a shade of red. The portion amount is determined by the amount of scratch damage received. The scratch damage only decreases the health bar after a set time frame has elapsed, giving the player a chance to recover the scratch damage. Scratch damage can be compounded with fixed damage by adding together and immediately applying to the player's health. The type of health system described in the '136 Patent is usually used in fighting games or 3D brawlers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div>
Damages include ineffective damage (scratch damage) and effective damage (fixed damage). When scratch damage occurs, an amount Ds corresponding to the scratch damage is stored into a memory. When fixed damage occurs, a vitality parameter Lp is decreased by an amount Df corresponding to the fixed damage. Scratch damage decreases over time. If fixed damage Df occurs in the presence of scratch damage, the vitality parameter Lp is decreased by a total amount of the scratch damage and the fixed damage. Such controls on the vitality parameter diversify the game progress.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A game control method for making a computer, having a processor, a memory, and operation input means, perform game processing in which a player character that acts in response to a player operation and an enemy character attack each other, and in which a vitality parameter set for the player character is decreased in accordance with damage given to the player character when the enemy character makes an attack on the player character, the game control method comprising the steps of: setting by the processor the damage as ineffective damage or effective damage based on a value of an attack-power parameter of a weapon used in the attack by the enemy character; storing by the processor an amount of said ineffective damage into the memory when the player character is given the ineffective damage; restoring by the processor the amount of the ineffective damage stored in the memory decreased by a predetermined amount as time elapses after the player character is given the ineffective damage; calculating by the processor, as the player character is given effective damage while the amount of ineffective damage is stored in the memory, a total amount of damage that includes an amount of effective damage based on the effective damage and the amount of ineffective damage in the memory, and decreasing by the processor the vitality parameter of the player character based on the amount of damage; setting the attack-power parameter for the attack, wherein said setting the damage sets the damage as the effective damage or the ineffective damage based on the attack-power parameter; generating by the processor one or more points for the player character for each successful attack on the enemy character by the player character; and changing by the processor, when an accumulation of points reaches a predetermined amount, a state of the player character in which all damage incurred by the player character during a predetermined period of a remainder of a current game is set as ineffective damage regardless of the attack-power parameter value.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-68561951557209851962019-06-04T10:00:00.000-04:002019-06-04T10:00:00.550-04:00U.S. Patent No. 6,299,535: Method of processing interactive game, program product and game system for the same<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 6,299,535: Method of processing interactive game, program product and game system for the same</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued October 9, 2001, to Square Co., Ltd. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date April 28, 2000</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzG8WhBkXtRwXovZ5lz4ntGrmXXCttoUYoOJfnNMXqRYQ61T-ZJuSG0Po-Ps1lOxA-rpuWBPAj_2lqqxWJMCl02StfsEhC04-3IqOBjwZXQULNlBR0Kja7URZJqEZTuDnQv_9/s1600/Pages+from+US6299535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1600" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzG8WhBkXtRwXovZ5lz4ntGrmXXCttoUYoOJfnNMXqRYQ61T-ZJuSG0Po-Ps1lOxA-rpuWBPAj_2lqqxWJMCl02StfsEhC04-3IqOBjwZXQULNlBR0Kja7URZJqEZTuDnQv_9/s400/Pages+from+US6299535.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Summary:</b></div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US6299535B1/en?oq=6299535">U.S. Patent No. 6,299,535</a> (the '535 Patent) describes a method for creating branching storylines in an RPG. The storylines are tied to characters in the game and happen separately from the player's character. A classic example of this the '535 Patent is recruiting secret characters in an RPG. A player must meet certain in-game conditions to add the secret character to the part, or the character will continue down his path. The game will not always tell a player when a condition has been met; nevertheless, the game progresses the secret character's story. The '535 Patent also encompasses situations where a player may have to choose between two characters, especially if there is an alternative path to acquire both. <br />
<div>
<b></b><br /></div>
<div>
<b>Abstract: </b></div>
A method of processing an interactive game, and a program product and game system for the same, which enables a character other than the player character to act separately from the player character in the game virtual space, sets an event which a character other than the player character can execute when a condition in the progress of the game is satisfied, displays on the screen the existence of that event for the character other than the player character acting separately from the player character when the condition in the progress of the game enabling execution of that event is satisfied, selectively accepts execution of the event displayed on the screen by an operation of the player in the screen display, and selectively executes and displays on the screen the event for the character other than the player character acting separately from the player character in accordance with the acceptance of the selection and execution of that event.<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b></div>
1. A method of executing an interactive game program giving a plurality of characters roles in a game and making each character play out an assigned role, comprising: making at least one character among the plurality of characters play out a first assigned role and displaying the at least one character on a screen, preparing in advance at least one event shared by the plurality of characters and judging if the at least one character playing out the first assigned role on the screen has reached the at least one event, switching display of the role played out by the at least one character to another character in the plurality of characters when determining that the at least one event has been reached, and making the other character play out a second assigned role and displaying the other character on the screen, wherein when the display is switched, the other character playing out the second assigned role is displayed instead of the at least one character playing out the first assigned role. <br />
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Researched By Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-77469435494855527262019-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:002019-05-28T10:00:00.467-04:00U.S. Patent No. 7,803,048: Radar manipulation in a video game<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 7,803,048: Radar manipulation in a video game</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued September 28, 2010, to Microsoft Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date March 15, 2006</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYlptgVbyc1GGuAileZTfsRk5njjSMV_nLPjfYftILvIySeXEu_XEdcCg7KERCAkn7I0gXwzg7W0pUgElmwprpkm4maY7HOq0jckk0VfltCfSFqPiE_qQzRQEieYPZ9dhVRTk/s1600/Pages+from+US7803048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYlptgVbyc1GGuAileZTfsRk5njjSMV_nLPjfYftILvIySeXEu_XEdcCg7KERCAkn7I0gXwzg7W0pUgElmwprpkm4maY7HOq0jckk0VfltCfSFqPiE_qQzRQEieYPZ9dhVRTk/s320/Pages+from+US7803048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b></b><a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US7803048B2/en?q=Video+Game&q=Radar&assignee=Microsoft+Corporation">U.S. Patent No. 7,803,048</a> (the '048 Patent) describes methods and systems for a deception in an online multiplayer game. One such method is for a player to manipulate the game's radar to trick other players. The player's in-game character could shoot a fake bullet to create a noise at another location, triggering the virtual acoustic radar. Also, a player can temporarily jam an opponent's radar, or make all the opponents visible on the radar. The '048 Patent describes several methods for deception using the in-game radar.<br />
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
Methods and systems for deceiving other characters in a video game are disclosed. A video game may include a simulated environment in which player and computer controlled characters can monitor each other's positions using radar, e.g., an acoustic radar that detects noise (such as the firing of various weapons) associated with other characters. A character may fire a decoy bullet, which creates noise at the location of impact rather than the location of firing. A character may temporarily jam another character's radar so that the other character's radar does not display character locations. A first character may mimic an enemy character so that the first character appears as a friend to enemy characters on each enemy characters' radar. A special weapon may make all visible characters visually appear as enemies to a first character, thereby confusing the first character. Another special weapon may create a duplicate image of a character, thereby confusing others.<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. One or more computer readable storage device storing executable instructions for performing a video game method of representing characters on a radar image displayed on a video output device, said method comprising steps of: determining a first simulated noise level associated with a first object in a simulated environment operating under control of the video game; and displaying on the radar image, said radar image corresponding to a first character, a first radar blip corresponding to the first object, said first radar blip having a first characteristic based on the first simulated noise level associated with the first object determining a second simulated noise level associated with the first object in the simulated environment operating under control of the video game, wherein said second simulated noise level is determined to be louder than said first simulated noise level; and displaying on the radar image corresponding to the first character, a second radar blip corresponding to the first object, said second radar blip having a first characteristic based on the second simulated noise level associated with the first object, wherein the first characteristic of the first radar blip comprises a first amount of time based on the first simulated noise level, wherein the first characteristic of the second radar blip comprises a second amount of time based on the second simulated noise level, said second amount of time being longer than said first amount of time, wherein displaying the first radar blip comprises displaying the first radar blip for the first amount of time, and wherein displaying the second radar blip comprises displaying the second radar blip for the second amount of time.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-55316384611283486942019-05-21T10:00:00.000-04:002019-05-21T10:00:02.922-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,882,590: Touch-controlled game character motion providing dynamically-positioned virtual control pad<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,882,590: Touch-controlled game character motion providing dynamically-positioned virtual control pad</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issue November 11, 2014, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date April 28, 2006</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAUKkjl6PoTfYtyHJKmsKWbcN2Rzfr_ZfrQt4fIgQg4iENNEZAMNNwVbTrgjxhHzxsnEJm7VSc-qfhCL6IpToRJRSuMGRar7A7vtjW27Q5YNFityLCtTb1hA7IgXxAFL_wXYd/s1600/Pages+from+US8882590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAUKkjl6PoTfYtyHJKmsKWbcN2Rzfr_ZfrQt4fIgQg4iENNEZAMNNwVbTrgjxhHzxsnEJm7VSc-qfhCL6IpToRJRSuMGRar7A7vtjW27Q5YNFityLCtTb1hA7IgXxAFL_wXYd/s320/Pages+from+US8882590.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8882590B2/en?oq=8882590">U.S. Patent No. 8,882,590 </a>(the '590 Patent) describes a method to control a game through touch controls. The '590 Patent relates to the Nintendo DS and its touch screen. On the DS, a player could move a game character by touching the bottom screen. If the player wanted the character to move to the right, he would first need to touch the screen then move his finger or the stylus to the right. At the first point of contact, the system divides the screen into multiple zones around that point of contact. Each zone indicates a direction, so when the player moves his finger to the right, the system moves the character to the right. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of a digital object displayed on a screen provide a virtual dynamic direction control pad based on zone detection and touch stroke direction to control customized animated character motion. A player wishing to move the digital object can use a stylus or other touch to indicate a first point on the screen. When the player first touches the stylus to the screen, the system analyzes the touch and divides the screen into multiple zones around the first point indicated by the player. To move the object, the player moves the stylus to a second point on the screen. Movement of the stylus to a second point within one of these zones causes the digital object to perform a predetermined action. Each zone has a predetermined associated action. Direct control of character motion by the game player is enhanced.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim: </b><br />
<div>
1. A method of controlling movement of a moveable digital object displayed on a touch screen that is coupled to at least one processor, the method comprising: displaying the moveable digital object on the touch screen; using a touch to the touch screen to select the moveable digital object and indicate a first touch point on the touch screen corresponding to the displayed digital object; automatically dynamically dividing, using the at least one processor, the screen into plural virtual zones that (1) are associated with the first touch point, and (2) emanate from a neighborhood determined in accordance with the selected moveable digital object; detecting a further touch to at least a second touch point on the touch screen different from the first point; determining, using the at least one processor, in which of said automatically divided plural virtual zones said second touch point is disposed within to thereby select one of said plural virtual zones; and controlling, using the at least one processor, the movable digital object to perform an action that moves the movable digital object based at least in part on said which of said determined virtual zones is selected by said second touch point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-55440762507358006042019-05-14T10:00:00.001-04:002019-05-14T10:00:00.267-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,313,379: Video game system with wireless modular handheld controller<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,313,379: Video game system with wireless modular handheld controller</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued November 20, 2012, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date: August 22, 2005</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdDyBbmd5suSKqEANpnc1z4dXP9ZV-5PyULQJ1Rx3n1kghHT8WwFeIQW2yxMLJ7a-89t1Q6coOqTze8qKUrObAY0WZTG-TQRvouPsiQZZ5xjRaY4yD9AzZaGvOSO51eL6Ofqj/s1600/Pages+from+US8313379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdDyBbmd5suSKqEANpnc1z4dXP9ZV-5PyULQJ1Rx3n1kghHT8WwFeIQW2yxMLJ7a-89t1Q6coOqTze8qKUrObAY0WZTG-TQRvouPsiQZZ5xjRaY4yD9AzZaGvOSO51eL6Ofqj/s320/Pages+from+US8313379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Summary:</b></div>
<div>
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8313379B2/en?oq=+8%2c313%2c379">U.S. Patent No. 8,313,379</a> describes the Nintendo Wii system. The Wii incorporation of motion controls into a video game system. Motion controls were not a new concept in video games, but the Wii certainly push motion controls into the mainstream. The Wii utilized a small remote and IR sensor bar to track a users movement. The IR sensor bar would be place usually on top of or below the television. A user would point the Wii remote in the direction of the television/sensor bar, and the Wii would generate a cursor on the TV in the corresponding area. When the user moved the remote, the cursor would follow. The Wii remote used accelerometers and infrared detection to determine its position in 3D space when pointed at the sensor bar. Calculating position in a 3D space is essential for games that require movement along a Z axis, such as a boxing game. Despite the complexity it took to track a user's movement, the motion controls were simple to understand. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Wii was a hugely successful console for Nintendo, selling around 100 million units. A big reason for the Wii's success was the accessibility. The motion controls made playing video games simple for the non-gamer. A person could easily understand that to play a golf game only required swinging the Wii remote like a golf club. The Wii had a significant impact on the video game industry. Shortly after the Wii launched, Microsoft and Sony introduced their versions of motion controls. Nintendo still uses a form of motion control in its current system, the Nintendo Switch, though the system does not require motion controls to operate. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Abstract:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A home entertainment system for video games and other applications includes a main unit and handheld controllers. The handheld controllers illumination emitted by emitters positioned at either side of a display, and information derived from the sensed illumination is used to calculate the orientation of the controllers. The controllers can be plugged into expansion units that customize the overall control interface for particular applications including but not limited to legacy video games. Further, the controllers can be used in one-handed or two-handed modes of operation.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Illustrative Claim: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. A handheld controller operable in a one hand mode of operation and a two hand mode of operation, said controller for use in wirelessly communicating with an electronic game machine having an associated display screen, a first light emitting marker and second light emitting marker each mounted spaced from, but in the vicinity of, the display screen, said handheld controller comprising: an elongated housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward end, a rearward end and a longitudinal axis defining at least one longitudinal center line, and sized to be operable by one hand of a user; a first set of game controls proximate said forward end of said housing; a second set of game controls proximate said rearward end of said housing; said first set of game controls and said second set of game controls being operable in use in a two hand game playing mode of operation, wherein during said two hand game playing mode said first set of game controls are disposed so as to be actuated by one thumb of a user and said second set of game controls are disposed so as to be actuated by the other thumb of the user, and wherein said first and second sets of game controls are actuated in use by the cooperative action of the user's thumbs; the lower surface of said housing having a concave portion provided with a trigger switch; a processor enclosed within said housing; an imaging device located in said forward end of said housing at least substantially aligned with said longitudinal center line and including a filter, a lens, an image sensor and an image processing circuit, wherein the image sensor, in use, detects light from the first light emitting marker and the second light emitting marker and generates image data, and wherein the image processing circuit, in use, receives and processes said image data and generates position data related to positional coordinates of the first light emitting marker and the second light emitting marker, and wherein the image processing circuit outputs the position data to said processor; at least said trigger switch and said imaging device being used in a one hand game playing mode of operation, wherein game play is controlled by the user holding the controller in one hand; linear accelerometer circuitry for detecting acceleration of the controller along each of three axes and for generating acceleration data along each of said three axes, said linear accelerometer circuitry being, in use, in communication with said processor; and a wireless communication device disposed within said housing and operatively connected to said processor and operable, in use, to transmit signals to said electronic game machine representing operational states of at least said first set of operational controls, said second set of operational controls, said trigger switch, said position data, and said acceleration data.</div>
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br />
</strike></div>
<div>
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-70334656418564811812019-05-07T17:27:00.000-04:002019-05-07T17:27:01.899-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,814,677: Using real-time constructive solid geometry to provide painting and thinning game mechanics<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,814,677: Using real-time constructive solid geometry to provide painting and thinning game mechanics</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued August 26, 2014, to Disney Enterprises, Inc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date September 2, 2010</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKKEBV1zDWCgq16ugyWhgGJK_MlsSoXr6crJeGhZH3syBdOyLQND4fToNPwTE-RokjMFy-tvYWehG9mTt-rYPAPTirTjSL_a2zX8Mv_kUKrA_D9-vTenSCQOsxU9_L2ARr6Qx/s1600/Pages+from+US8814677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKKEBV1zDWCgq16ugyWhgGJK_MlsSoXr6crJeGhZH3syBdOyLQND4fToNPwTE-RokjMFy-tvYWehG9mTt-rYPAPTirTjSL_a2zX8Mv_kUKrA_D9-vTenSCQOsxU9_L2ARr6Qx/s400/Pages+from+US8814677.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<b></b><a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8814677B2/en?oq=8%2c814%2c677">U.S. Patent No. 8,814,677</a> (the '677 Patent) relates to the Disney video game <i>Epic Mickey</i>, specifically the game mechanic allowing players to manipulate the game world using in-game paint and paint thinner. <i>Epic Mickey</i> followed Mickey Mouse as fights ink-blobs who invaded the Cartoon Wasteland, a place where the forgotten or obscure Disney cartoons live. The game was primarily a 3D platformer. In the game, Mickey wields a paintbrush which can spray paint or paint thinner. Spraying paint in a certain area would cause a hidden object to appear while spraying paint thinner would make the object disappear. The '677 Patent describes the method behind this game mechanic. The game causes the objects to appear or disappear based on the spray pattern using two binary space partitioning (BSP) trees. The first BSP determines the physical shape of the object before any paint or thinner is applied. A second BSP identifies the spray pattern. The game merges the two BSPs to create a new version of the object with the applied spray pattern. <br /><br /><b>Abstract:</b><br />
Techniques are described for providing a painting and thinning mechanic within a computer-generated environment (e.g., in a video game). The painting and thinning mechanic allows geometry within the computer-generated environment to be “painted” or “thinned.” Painting and thinning refers to a mechanic that involves making parts of the virtual environment visibly and collidably transparent (thinning) or visibly and collidably opaque (painting). The painting/thinning mechanic may be achieved using binary space partitioning (BSP) trees.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A computer-implemented method for executing a video game, comprising: receiving an input indicating to apply a liquid paint or a liquid thinner material to a first set of geometry in the video game, wherein the liquid paint or the liquid thinner material is rendered as a capsule held by a game character and wherein the input directs the game character to throw the capsule at the first set of geometry; determining a burst location on the first set of geometry where the capsule impacts the first set of geometry; determining a second set of geometry corresponding to a spreading effect of the liquid paint or the liquid thinner material from the burst location to an area of the first set of geometry, wherein the spreading effect of the liquid paint or the liquid thinner material is determined by a physics engine; merging, by operation of one or more processors, a first binary space partitioning (BSP) tree with a second BSP tree to create a merged BSP tree, wherein the first BSP tree represents the first set of geometry, wherein the second BSP tree represents the second set of geometry, of the liquid paint or the liquid thinner material, wherein one or more elements of geometry represented in the first BSP tree are associated with a respective paint/thinning state, and wherein the merged BSP tree represents a merged set of geometry created from the first and second sets of geometry;updating, based on the spreading effect determined by the physics engine of the liquid paint or the liquid thinner material on the area of the first set of geometry, a paint/thinning state associated with a respective one or more elements of the merged set of geometry in the merged BSP tree; and rendering the respective one or more elements of the merged set of geometry opaque or transparent based on the paint/thinning states of the respective one or more elements in the merged set of geometry.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-14315725494896378212019-04-30T10:00:00.000-04:002019-04-30T10:00:03.250-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,802,953: Scoring of free-form vocals for video game<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,802,953: Scoring of free-form vocals for video game</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued August 12, 2014, to Activision Publishing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date February 5, 2009</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyCOJsgzEKQ_NKGjxpbnKOiRvLKoElxnvJraqCotI4PuAC8jLBM9YRZF4W12yTywQaaPQMB2WRLy9oyDxXokv54lQxbkU8oeAIqvqSID4wek80Di4FTOCVU5mVgF1kOqFT3BF/s1600/Pages+from+US8802953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1149" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyCOJsgzEKQ_NKGjxpbnKOiRvLKoElxnvJraqCotI4PuAC8jLBM9YRZF4W12yTywQaaPQMB2WRLy9oyDxXokv54lQxbkU8oeAIqvqSID4wek80Di4FTOCVU5mVgF1kOqFT3BF/s400/Pages+from+US8802953.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Summary:</b></div>
<div>
<b></b>U.S. Patent No. 8,802,953 (the '953 Patent) describes a method for a video game to evaluate and score a person singing. In a music based video game, a person's singing score is determined by comparing the person's performance to a set of predetermined criteria. Aspects of the performance, like pitch, tempo, and key, are evaluated against a targeted range. A player singing inside the targeted range for pitch will earn points, while a player singing outside the range will lose points. The evaluation is happening in real-time and the player can see their score while performing. </div>
<div>
<b></b><br /></div>
<div>
<b>Abstract:</b></div>
A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b></div>
1. A method for evaluating vocal inputs in a music based video game, comprising: repeatedly over time receiving input signals providing audio information; repeatedly over a particular time period determining a pitch of the audio information so as to determine a plurality of pitches of the audio information; determining if the pitches are in accordance with a plurality of target pitches, without regard to particular timing of individual pitches of the plurality of pitches; determining a valuation based on whether the pitches are in accordance with a target key; and commanding presentation of an indication of the valuation.<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div>
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-41423555261468698842019-04-23T15:07:00.000-04:002019-04-23T15:07:00.589-04:00U.S. Patent No. 7,663,045: Music replacement in a gaming system<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 7,663,045: Music replacement in a gaming system</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued February 16, 2010, to Microsoft Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date September 20, 2005</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWTIskCsAh6ULiO8TYzHZCJiycU7kwDEF91r7zaCfQcCQ8PgNR-Aq7Z4kFSClGjdJo4ToyaS1cg45kFhy1Nzg5tJ39gDczA1rvUUhHtn1Xc-pMIgEoJ_QGK8NiJSzA5vpA1m5/s1600/Pages+from+US7663045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWTIskCsAh6ULiO8TYzHZCJiycU7kwDEF91r7zaCfQcCQ8PgNR-Aq7Z4kFSClGjdJo4ToyaS1cg45kFhy1Nzg5tJ39gDczA1rvUUhHtn1Xc-pMIgEoJ_QGK8NiJSzA5vpA1m5/s320/Pages+from+US7663045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US7663045B2/en?oq=US7663045B2">U.S. Patent No. 7,663,045</a> (the '045 Patent) describes a method for a user to replace the background music in a video game with their music. The Xbox 360 allowed users to rip music from a CD and download it to the system's hard-drive. A benefit to having the music on the 360 hard-drive was the system allowed users to listen to their music while playing a game. The system would mute game's background music and then insert the user's music. If the game had a scripted moment that required preselected music, then the system would mute the user's music until the scripted moment finished. Sound effects remained in the game, so effectively the 360 allowed users to create customized soundtracks.<br />
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
A user of a game system can replace background music from a game with the user's selected background music, while still hearing any other audio streams (e.g. sound effects related to gameplay). A music engine and system audio mixer allow the playback of the user's requested replacement music. The game tags background music streams with an identifier indicating that they are background music, and such streams are muted at the music engine and system audio mixer (if the game is using the provided music engine in order to play the game's audio streams) or by the game if the game is using a game music engine and has received information indicating that a mute request has been issued.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A system for providing audio playback from a gaming system running an application, wherein said application generates an application default audio stream, said system comprising: application programming interfaces, said application programming interfaces integrating gaming system audio playback control features into said application, wherein audio commands issued by said application are implemented by said gaming system concurrently with execution of said application; an audio input for receiving said audio commands and said application default audio stream from said application; an audio replacement indicator for indicating when replacement of said application default audio stream is requested; an audio output, operably connected to said audio input and said audio replacement indicator, wherein said audio output plays audio comprising said application default audio stream if said audio replacement indicator indicates that no audio replacement is requested, or an alternate audio stream if said audio replacement indicator indicates that audio replacement is requested.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-72404204584342235412019-04-16T14:11:00.000-04:002019-04-16T14:11:01.246-04:00U.S. Patent No. 9,687,733: Game apparatus, storage medium, game controlling method and game system<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 9,687,733: Game apparatus, storage medium, game controlling method and game system</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued June 27, 2017, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date February 23, 2011</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8XkZyM_dbnnkRvSPJy_zZl6VGt7lxaZ__tpJm350GsMkbdrVYl9WtRZh6CiUHXfZvd6Bxv43EVbYf9cRfMRbM4X-Gdrd1XCvCzJcFS02X8ppDl61xGEymtSzRdcDQat7VRWs/s1600/Pages+from+US9687733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1596" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8XkZyM_dbnnkRvSPJy_zZl6VGt7lxaZ__tpJm350GsMkbdrVYl9WtRZh6CiUHXfZvd6Bxv43EVbYf9cRfMRbM4X-Gdrd1XCvCzJcFS02X8ppDl61xGEymtSzRdcDQat7VRWs/s320/Pages+from+US9687733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<div>
U.S. Patent No. 9,687,733 (the '733 Patent) describes a video game that utilizes a step counter as a game mechanic. The player needs a device capable of counting steps and transmitting the information to the system or else the player can not utilize their steps. If the player does have the necessary device, then the player's steps can be used as a means to advance the game. A player can choose how to spend their steps by selecting from a variety of in-game options such as currency, experience points, or even a hint. Unspent steps are utilized to advance supplemental areas of the game, so no step is wasted. The '733 Patent mainly lists a number of ways a player can spend the steps. </div>
<div>
</div>
<b></b><br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div>
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.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
1. A game apparatus comprising an input device, the apparatus configured to at least: <br />measure step counts using a motion detection device; advance a game on the basis of an input from said input device; and execute processing of supplementing advancement of said game by using the measured step counts during execution of the game, said game being advanceable independently from the measured step counts.<br /><br /><br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-53182987297958206172019-04-09T10:00:00.001-04:002019-04-09T10:00:00.478-04:00U.S. Patent No. 8,784,202: Apparatus and method for repositioning a virtual camera based on a change game state<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>U.S. Patent No. 8,784,202: Apparatus and method for repositioning a virtual camera based on a change game state</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued July 22, 2014, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date June 3, 2011</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAfQuA520YBzIIIhDqPdA-N_WwNWhbVqJCE7BT4_m0bjIjtlSOozGiiIyEJTWCQVT_9DgyDw_lMtBv9JXFxICOavwRSlc3SLegiKsK8RcSu-1J2GdvSgsQ2D5Kzk9VZz9zp0/s1600/Pages+from+US8784202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAfQuA520YBzIIIhDqPdA-N_WwNWhbVqJCE7BT4_m0bjIjtlSOozGiiIyEJTWCQVT_9DgyDw_lMtBv9JXFxICOavwRSlc3SLegiKsK8RcSu-1J2GdvSgsQ2D5Kzk9VZz9zp0/s320/Pages+from+US8784202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
U.S. Patent No. 8,784,202 (the '202 Patent) describes a method for automatically shifting a virtual camera's position based on a character's movement speed. The '202 Patent relates to third-person games since the player generally controls the camera in first-person games. A game utiliz04ing the '202 Patent will start the camera in a high angle position while the character is walking or standing. As the character begins to run, the camera shifts down. Shifting the camera down allows for the players to see ahead and have a better understanding of the characters footing. When the character starts to slow down, the camera begins to move back into the original high angle position. <br />
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
An apparatus and method is provided for controlling a virtual camera. The virtual camera is positioned in a first position and a first direction while an object is in a first state and the virtual camera is moved to a second position and second direction when the object transitions from a first state to a second state. The virtual camera is held in the second position and second direction while the object is in the second state and then moves back to the first position and first direction when the object transitions from the second state back to the first state. While the virtual camera is in the second position and second direction, the lowest part of the object is made more easily viewable.</div>
<b><br /></b><b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. An information processing system, comprising: a processing system having at least one processor, the processing system configured to: position a virtual camera in an initial orientation while an object is moving at a first velocity, and change downwardly the angle of orientation of the virtual camera while moving the virtual camera above the object from the initial orientation when the object transitions from moving at the first velocity to moving at a second velocity greater than the first velocity.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
<div class="claim-text style-scope patent-text" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 14px 0px 0px 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-67445259494818964392019-04-02T09:14:00.000-04:002019-04-02T09:14:04.371-04:00U.S. Patent No. 9,511,292: Video game competition notifications<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 9,511,292: Video game competition notifications</span></b><br />Issued December 6, 2016, to Sony Interactive Entertainment America, LLC<br />Priority Date October 20, 2009</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxiPyEAZ5FneHMLUQCb-hFX4jd8-BGLAjsL4tqvwb4j2dLJ8f4K985dXvS69jilArVK8CwcZcKeLF3228aVVK5bZs20kotRM7hEAxRsHl6ut_Bt10TBqY5YW6i8PPQsDEofVZ/s1600/Pages+from+US9511292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxiPyEAZ5FneHMLUQCb-hFX4jd8-BGLAjsL4tqvwb4j2dLJ8f4K985dXvS69jilArVK8CwcZcKeLF3228aVVK5bZs20kotRM7hEAxRsHl6ut_Bt10TBqY5YW6i8PPQsDEofVZ/s400/Pages+from+US9511292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Summary:</b><br /><a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US9511292B2/en?oq=9511292">U.S. Patent No. 9,511,292</a> (the '292 Patent) describes a method and system for in-game notifications. The notifications will alert a user if a friend has completed a predetermined goal in a video game. The goals can be achievements created by the game's developers or custom goals created by a group of players. Once a user has finished a goal, the system sends a notification to every friend on the user's friends list. Users can choose to receive notifications on any device, but certain features may not be compatible with some devices. A key feature described by the '292 Patent is the ability for a user to launch the game upon receiving a notification to beat the friend's achievement. For example, if a user completes a level under five minutes, the notification sent out will encourage the friends to beat the users time by allowing them to launch the game quickly. <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Abstract:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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.<br />
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b><b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. A computer-implemented method of challenging another person to a video game, the method comprising: indicating interest in a video game from a client electronic device associated with a first person to a server; sending a custom goal for the video game from the client electronic device associated with the first person to the server; receiving, on a client electronic device associated with a third person, a message from the server, the message indicating, based on a determination of the server, that a second person playing a first instance of the video game has met or exceeded the custom goal in the video game, the message including a selectable element enabled to begin a second instance of the video game for the third person at a specified point of the video game associated with the custom goal; retrieving from an electronic device associated with the second person, a game state condition of the first instance of the video game; and beginning the second instance of the video game using the retrieved game state condition on the client electronic device associated with the third person in response to a selection of the selectable element.<br />
<br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-40794513842334134542019-03-26T15:27:00.000-04:002019-03-26T15:27:00.807-04:00U.S. Patent No. 9,367,543: Game achievements system<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 9,367,543: Game achievements system</span></strong><br />
Issued June 14, 2016 to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC<br />
Priority Date December 7, 2004<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ghiavukGLW_4cJC-wYyicYfc6uPW3zTvFuLj48qY5CZR9pqg_QchIa632K_TM0-6yyD7iPIAPLQJxwFdxaRzgAvdCw48ELyWyad4IeJ4VkynMrzaRIytsTQJ6z9C_RxnNoFE/s1600/543+Patent.JPG"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ghiavukGLW_4cJC-wYyicYfc6uPW3zTvFuLj48qY5CZR9pqg_QchIa632K_TM0-6yyD7iPIAPLQJxwFdxaRzgAvdCw48ELyWyad4IeJ4VkynMrzaRIytsTQJ6z9C_RxnNoFE/s400/543+Patent.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<strong>Summary:</strong><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US9367543B2/en?oq=U.S.+Patent+No.+9%2c367%2c543">U.S. Patent No. 9,367,543</a> (the '543 Patent) is for all the achievement hunters out there. Consoles with an online mode have the option for players to create a username and profile to give themselves a unique identity in the gaming community. Gaming profiles used to be nothing more than a way for friends to identify each other and did not convey much information about the individual. <br /><br />The '543 Patent solves this by creating a method for providing a game achievements system where games reward players with achievements based on performing certain tasks. Every earned achievement is shown in the player’s gaming profile as a badge or trophy. Achievements helped prolong a game's life by pushing players to play the game in unusual ways that would not have been encouraged during a normal play through. Players may also receive points based on the number achievements earned, exemplified in Xbox’s gamerscore system. Xbox's gamerscore interface allows players to compare points and achievements. The points systems fuel friendly competition amongst friends to see who could earn more achievements. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Abstract:</strong><br />
Systems and method for providing a game achievements system where players are rewarded with game achievements based on mastering certain in-game facets of the games they play. Each game achievement may be conveyed in a profile as a badge or trophy, title, description, date, etc. Players may also accumulate points based on game achievements. A display interface may be made available such that a player may see his achievements and total points, as well as those of others.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Illustrative Claim:</strong><br />
1. A system comprising: a first computing device having a first processing unit and a first memory device storing first computer executable instructions; and a second computing device having a second processing unit and a second memory device storing second computer executable instructions; wherein the first computer executable instructions, when executed by the first processing unit, cause the first processing unit to: receive inputs from a gamer for populating a gamer profile, the inputs identifying a gamer name of the gamer profile; receive further inputs from the gamer identifying specific other gamers that can receive the gamer profile; provide at least the gamer name of the gamer profile to a remote service on the second computing device that maintains the gamer profile; execute game code of a game; identify occurrences of a plurality of achievements, wherein the occurrences are achieved while the game is being played on the first computing device by the gamer and the occurrences include: an occurrence of a first individual achievement having a first title, wherein the gamer is credited a first number of points for the occurrence of the first individual achievement, and an occurrence of a second individual achievement having a second title, wherein the gamer is credited a second number of points for the occurrence of the second individual achievement, report the occurrence of the first individual achievement to the remote service on the second computing device, wherein the remote service updates the gamer profile to reflect the occurrence of the first individual achievement; and report the occurrence of the second individual achievement to the remote service on the second computing device, wherein the remote service updates the gamer profile to reflect the occurrence of the second individual achievement, and wherein the second computer executable instructions, when executed by the second processing unit, cause the second processing unit to: execute the remote service; obtain the gamer profile at the remote service via communicating with the first computing device; obtain identities of the specific other garners that can receive the gamer profile of the gamer; update the gamer profile to reflect the occurrence of the first individual achievement and the occurrence of the second individual achievement; and selectively provide the updated gamer profile to other computing devices associated with the specific other garners while preventing further computing devices associated with further garners from receiving the updated gamer profile.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Research By: Rachel Johns </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Edited by: Andrew F. Thomas</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-61405978769684961212019-03-19T10:00:00.001-04:002019-03-19T10:00:02.100-04:00U.S. Patent No. 7,628,688: Game apparatus, game control method, recording medium and program<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>U.S. Patent No. 7,628,688: Game apparatus, game control method, recording medium and program</strong></span><br />
<br />
Issued December 8, 2009, to Konami Holding Corp.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl5bbTyrQb6yqOsPA3mePTpvscIjYSd7-B5ySmKnqFV38kW9cVTYMyiTtF_pNkFEedzJKHyqf2N3zl33MyuPUMpFSDqpm70BfhyphenhyphenBBMil9KAAweXuUV98J1k3uAnTR8X2xEZ3G/s1600/patent+688.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl5bbTyrQb6yqOsPA3mePTpvscIjYSd7-B5ySmKnqFV38kW9cVTYMyiTtF_pNkFEedzJKHyqf2N3zl33MyuPUMpFSDqpm70BfhyphenhyphenBBMil9KAAweXuUV98J1k3uAnTR8X2xEZ3G/s400/patent+688.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<strong>Summary:</strong><br />
<br />
Battling opponents is a quintessential part of gaming, and <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US7628688B2/en?oq=7%2c628%2c688">U.S. Patent No. 7,628,688</a> (the '688 Patent)helps these battles take place. The ‘688 patent describes an image generator used to display both a player and opponent in a state of combat, as well as showing the characters fighting in real time. The patent describes a detector that tracks the distance between a player and opponent. Using a game map, the player and opponent’s relation to each other results in the changing from a normal gameplay mode to combat mode. For example, if a player or opponent enters a certain area (usually within a distance sufficiently close to the opponent), either the opponent or player satisfies a preset condition to initiate a battle. Once the conditions for ending the combat are met (i.e. the player wins or loses), the battle would end and the game would continue on as usual. The patent describes that the game map has a number of geographic features that influence whether the elements are met for a battle to begin. For example, a character could hide behind a wall close to an opponent and avoid a battle which would otherwise take place. This helps to simulate sneaking around an enemy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Abstract:</strong><br />
<br />
An image data generator of this game apparatus generates, in a combat state, combat image data to display player's combat elements that executes a combat and opponent's combat elements fighting with the player's combat elements on the display unit in real time. This game comprises a distance detector that detects a distance between the player's combat element and the opponent's combat element at the time of changing a normal state to the combat state, and displays an initial image at the beginning of the combat state in accordance with the distance therebetween.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Illustrative Claim:</strong><br />
<br />
1. A game apparatus for executing a war simulation game, comprising: a first generator for generating image data to display a normal state image on a preset display, which includes a map, at least one player's element, and at least one opponent's element, both elements being positioned on the map; a first controller for activating the first generator when operation data indicating an operation by a game player is sent to the first controller and controlling the first generator to generate the image data for the normal state image according to the operation data; a second generator for generating image data to display a combat state image on the preset display, which represents that one of the at least one player's element fights against one of the at least one opponent's element; a second controller for activating the second generator when the operation data is sent to the second controller and controlling the second generator to generate the image data in real time in response to the operation data, wherein the real time generation of image data is free of a turn-based generation of image data; and a selector for receiving the operation data, determining whether or not the operation data satisfies a preset condition, and sending the operation data to either the first controller or the second controller in accordance with the determination wherein the map of the normal state image comprises a plurality of areas, and each of the both elements is positioned in one of the plurality of areas respectively, wherein the second controller determines, according to the operation data, whether or not an area in which the desired player's element is positioned is adjacent to an area in which the desired opponent's element is positioned, and controls the second generator so that the displayed combat state image represents the desired player's element to fight the desired opponent's element in short-range circumstance when the area in which the desired player's element is positioned is adjacent to the area in which the desired opponent's element is positioned, while the display combat state image represents the desired player's element to fight the desired opponent's element in long-range circumstance when the area in which the desired player's element is positioned is not adjacent to the area in which the desired opponent's element is positioned, wherein the map comprises a matrix form having a plurality of geographic features that exert an influence upon a result of combat between the at least one player's element and the at least one opponent's element, wherein the preset condition is whether the operation data includes an instruction that desired one of the at least one player's element should fight against desired one of the at least one opponent's element, wherein the selector sends the operation data to the second controller when the operation data satisfies the preset condition, and wherein the movements of the at least one player's element and the at least one opponent's element are influenced by the plurality of geographic features of the map. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Research By: Rachel Johns<br />
Edited By: Andrew F. Thomas</div>
Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-38936653815134916812019-03-12T10:00:00.001-04:002019-03-12T10:00:04.455-04:00U.S. Patent No. 6,231,444: Operating device for game machine<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 6,231,444: Operating device for game machine</span></strong><br />
Issued May 15, 2001, to Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc.<br />
Priority date: October 11, 1996</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvB7TdqVR3KRd_cv79GX_YOcY0Wv6ZXkaLn4ET51_Jzlp7fEun-Nqd7b4nEiMo5IQiGkvNLuYxdP-8JrZVRAi5rikLC2c0WjWhb6kKIA76_drtGEjUJLO7iVOWg3_iVSfcSDP/s1600/Pages+from+US6231444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1547" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvB7TdqVR3KRd_cv79GX_YOcY0Wv6ZXkaLn4ET51_Jzlp7fEun-Nqd7b4nEiMo5IQiGkvNLuYxdP-8JrZVRAi5rikLC2c0WjWhb6kKIA76_drtGEjUJLO7iVOWg3_iVSfcSDP/s320/Pages+from+US6231444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Summary:</strong><br />
<a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US6231444B1/en?oq=U.S.+Patent+No.+6%2c231%2c444:+Operating+device+for+game+machine">U.S. Patent No. 6,231,444</a> (the ‘444 Patent) is the patent that relates Sony’s DualShock controller. The DualShock controller featured two analog sticks and two integrated vibration motors. The ‘444 Patent mainly relates to the two analog sticks and their functionality. Most developers build a game's control scheme around a dual analog controller. Computers use to dominate the first-person shooter genre because the mouse and keyboard provided better controls to the players. Dual analog sticks made consoles a more viable option for first-person shooters because developers could separate the aim and movement inputs. The aim could be on the left stick and player movement on the right stick. It took a while for developers to maximize the potential of the dual analog, but now every console uses a dual analog controller.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Abstract:</strong><br />
An operating device used in a game machine for playing a television game includes a main body portion of the operating device and first and second grip portions protruding from one side on respective end parts of the main body portion. A first operating unit is mounted on one end of the main body portion and a second operating unit is mounted on the opposite end of the main body portion. The first and second operating units are provided with a plurality of thrusting operators protruding from the upper surface of the main body portion and a plurality of signal input elements actuated by the thrusting operators. A third operating unit and a fourth operating unit are arranged facing each other on the proximal ends of the first and second grip portions. Each of the third and fourth operating units has a rotation member and a plurality of signal input devices actuated by the rotation member. When the first and second grip portions are gripped, the third and fourth operating units can be manipulated by a thumb finger of a hand gripping the first or second grip portion. The operating device further includes vibration imparting mechanism for imparting vibrations to the user's hands.<br />
<br />
<strong>Illustrative Claim:</strong><br />
1. An operating device for a game machine, comprising: a main body having front and rear sides and upper and lower surfaces; first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from end parts; a first operating unit mounted in said main body adjacent one of said spaced positions, said first operating unit having a plurality of first thrusting operators protruding from said upper surface of said main body and a plurality of signal input elements each for generating a signal when a corresponding one of said first thrusting operators is depressed; a second operating unit mounted in said main body adjacent the other one of said spaced positions, said second operating unit having a plurality of second thrusting operators protruding from said upper surface of said main body and a plurality of signal input elements each for generating a signal when a corresponding one of said second thrusting operators is depressed; and third and fourth operating units arranged on said rear side of said main body, said third operating unit being positioned adjacent said first grip and said fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent said second grip so that said third and fourth operating units confront one another, said third and fourth operating units each having a rotation member and at least one signal input element for generating a signal in response to an operation of said rotation member.<br />
<br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-32728084428319999892019-03-05T10:00:00.000-05:002019-03-05T10:00:01.907-05:00U.S. Patent No. 4,445,187: Video games with voice dialog<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 4,445,187: Video games with voice dialog</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued April 24, 1984, to Best, Robert M. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date February 5, 1979</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVN_snR0RlrfNLkMsUsqjA94yZfpDuShAOiUQvt7eyPcdyL92pdc48W3E3oWWo_x_0_-M6c3qWwzDh6xQdu3ssaZsaVTwFQ6oZwoOdKgbtGwGSKW5k06AOqVR_BnIzPMewZjS/s1600/Pages+from+US4445187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1506" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVN_snR0RlrfNLkMsUsqjA94yZfpDuShAOiUQvt7eyPcdyL92pdc48W3E3oWWo_x_0_-M6c3qWwzDh6xQdu3ssaZsaVTwFQ6oZwoOdKgbtGwGSKW5k06AOqVR_BnIzPMewZjS/s320/Pages+from+US4445187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
Patent No. 4,445,187 (the '187 Patent) describes a video game in which the user can talk to a character in a video game. The '187 Patent is a continuation of U.S. Patent No. 4,305,131 (the '131 Patent), titled Dialog between TV movies and human viewers. Both patents utilize a hand-held speech-recognition device so the user can interact with the characters on screen. A major difference between the two patents is the '187 Patent relates to game characters or cartoon characters whereas the '187 only relates to human actors. <br />
<br />
The game described in the '187 Patent has branching storylines. A player will be presented with an option at a given point in the game. Both possibilities link to different storylines saved in the game data. A player will encounter different dialogue and different scenarios based on which option was chosen. The player makes his choice by giving a verbal answer into the speech-recognition device. The hand-held device would display a menu with prompt words. A player could also ask the game character a question or make a side comment by pressing a button on the hand-held. The system would listen for select words to determine how the game character should respond. The game also allowed for multiplayer, but each player needed a hand-held unit so that they could each receive a different prompt. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
A video game system by which human viewers conduct simulated voice conversations with game characters or cartoon characters in a branching story game shown on a television screen. The characters and cartoons reply responsively with lip-sync sound to words input by viewers. Different audio and video frames are generated from data memory and video disc to provide one of several alternative replies or alternative actions at each branch point in the game, depending on which words are selected by the viewer. A menu of prompting words is displayed to inform viewers of what words they can use at each branch point. Viewers can input questions or make other remarks by pressing a button next to one of the displayed sentences which causes a recording of the displayed sentence to be played or speech synthesized in lieu of a viewer speaking it. Viewers can chat with simulated images of famous people, call the plays in a ball game, make executive decisions as a king or general, and participate in simulated adventures with interesting game characters who respond to each viewer's words and answer back responsively.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. A video apparatus for simulating a voice conversation between a human viewer of the apparatus and a talking video character, the apparatus comprising: first means for reading video frames from a record carrier means to provide a first video frame sequence associated with a plurality of alternative second video frame sequences; second means for reading video frames from a record carrier means to provide access to at least one of said alternative second video frame sequences before the end of said first video frame sequence; means for displaying said first and second video frame sequences including a simulated image of said talking character accompanied by corresponding voice sounds, thereby providing one side of a simulated voice conversation; means for communicating to said human viewer during said first video frame sequence a plurality of alternative verbal responses corresponding to said alternative second video frame sequences; means for receiving from said human viewer a response signal corresponding to a selected verbal response in said plurality of alternative verbal responses, thereby selecting a corresponding [second] video frame sequence; means for generating voice sounds electronically including words in said selected verbal response, thereby simulating the viewer's side of the voice conversation; and means for switching at the end of said first video frame sequence between the video frames from said first reading means to the video frames from said second reading means to provide said selected second video frame sequence accompanied by voice sounds corresponding to said selected second video frame sequence, thereby simulating a voice conversation between the talking character and the human viewer.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Researched by: Andrew F. ThomasPatent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11955987.post-509399399933030462019-02-26T13:13:00.000-05:002019-02-26T13:13:00.586-05:00U.S. Patent No. 8,882,594: Control Scheme for real time strategy game<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">U.S. Patent No. 8,882,594: Control Scheme for real time strategy game</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Issued November 11, 2014, to Microsoft Corp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Priority Date April 5, 2007</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfDjhMkMJl_XvRzLEpUqjO3EKK4oQr0SnWu7IOPxk1SnrIes5qLe6jY4V_ZG_CFMVBPaGG4ufKOoBLeDpXTC7vx-NbLCQBWSIEXUkjwuprSyYwEZmcEImr8Dcnjpi_10-A0_5/s1600/Pages+from+US8882594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfDjhMkMJl_XvRzLEpUqjO3EKK4oQr0SnWu7IOPxk1SnrIes5qLe6jY4V_ZG_CFMVBPaGG4ufKOoBLeDpXTC7vx-NbLCQBWSIEXUkjwuprSyYwEZmcEImr8Dcnjpi_10-A0_5/s320/Pages+from+US8882594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><br />Summary:</b><br />
Real-time strategy games allow the player to command an army against imposing forces in real time. The player builds his army at the same time his opponent. The classic example of a real-time strategy game is StarCraft. Every movement in a real-time strategy game is crucial because time is a factor; wasteful motion can be the difference between winning and losing. Because time is such a factor, PC has dominated the real-time genre due to the flexibility and quickness of a mouse and keyboard offer. Traditionally, the cursor and screen position moved independently of each other. Early attempts at bringing real-time strategy kept the tradition control scheme, but cursor's movement speed on a console could not match the quickness of a PC mouse. <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US8882594B2/en?oq=8882594">U.S. Patent No. 8,882,594</a> (the '594 Patent) describes a control scheme for a real-time strategy game on a console that locks the cursor to a fix position in the center of the screen. When the player moves the cursor, the screen position also moves. The cursor always stayed in the center of the screen even if the player tilted the camera. By bolting the cursor to the center and moving the screen position instead, players could move and select units at a quicker pace. Also, the control scheme allowed for players to switch between different units using certain buttons. Microsoft used the '594 Patent's control scheme in the Halo Wars franchise. <br />
<br />
<b>Abstract:</b><br />
A control scheme for a real time strategy game using a game controller includes maintaining a cursor in a known, fixed position of the monitor in a manner so that it appears the game space if moving behind a cursor even during changing viewing positions such as tilting movements. The control scheme further includes other aspects including a technique for selecting units using the game controller and interacting with menus using the game controller.<br />
<b><br />Illustrative Claim:</b><br />
18. A system comprising: a processor; an input device having a user activated button; a rendering device; and a computer readable storage medium having instructions accessible by the processor and which when executed on the processor conduct a real time strategy game based on user input from the input device, the instructions comprising: operating a plurality of units of a plurality of different unit types in a game space, each of the units taking action in the game space based on corresponding instructions; determining a first user position relative to at least some units in the game space, the first user position being spaced apart from the units and having a parameter indicative of a first tilt with respect to the units; rendering a first view of a portion of the game space on the rendering device based on the first user position, the first view not corresponding to a view as seen by any of the units in the game space, the first view having the first tilt and including a cursor for selecting a unit, the cursor being at a known position relative to an edge of the rendered first view; receiving an indication of activation of the input device and, in response, identifying a set of the units based on the unit types; determining a second user position, with the processor, based on the identified set of the units, the second user position being spaced apart from the units and having a parameter indicative of a second tilt with respect to the units that is different than the first tilt; and for at least some of the execution of the game, rendering a second view of a portion of the game space based on the second user position, the second view having the second tilt and showing the identified set of units, while maintaining the cursor in the known position relative to the edge of the rendered view, the second view not corresponding to a view as seen by any of the units in the game space.<br />
<br />
<br />
Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="claim-text style-scope patent-text" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 14px 0px 0px 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />Patent Arcade Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799292702088372399noreply@blogger.com