Patent Arcade: February 2016

U.S. Patent No. 8,556,715: Personalized client-side visualization in a multiplayer network video game

posted 2/23/2016 08:29:00 PM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 8,556,715: Personalized client-side visualization in a multiplayer network video game

Issued Oct. 15, 2013, to U4iA Games Inc.

Summary:

The ‘715 patent describes a method for providing specialized content to the various users of a networked video game. The type of content can be determined by IP address, age, nationality, or any other player characteristic. Specialized content can include character appearance, sounds, and language. The primary objective of the game remains constant even where the look and feel can be customized. The customization allows a wide variety of players to enjoy the same experience.

Abstract:

A method for providing customized content in a video game over a computer network to a plurality of game clients operated by different players is disclosed The method includes: storing a library of content that can be selectively delivered to the plurality of game clients during gameplay of the video game; receiving information about each of the players from the respective game client; selecting content from the library to be delivered to each of the game clients based on the received information about the respective player; and synchronously delivering the selected content to the corresponding game client.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A system for providing customized content in a video game over a computer network to a plurality of game clients operated by different players, the system comprising:

a processor;
a network interface for connecting the system to the multiple game clients;
a first storage device for storing a library of content that can be selectively delivered to the plurality of game clients during gameplay of the video game;

a second storage device storing a program which, when executed by the processor, performs the steps of:

receiving information about a first and a second players from their respective game clients;

selecting a first content and a second content from the library to be delivered to the first and second game clients, respectively, based on the received information about the respective players, the first content different from the second content; and
delivering the selected first and second contents representing a same attribute of the video game via the network interface to the first and second game clients during real-time synchronous gameplay between the two game clients.

Make America Grape(fruit) Again for iOS

posted 2/22/2016 02:23:00 PM by Unknown

A little political satire to lighten your day. Make America Grape(Fruit) Again is now live on the iOS App Store. Who will be the Chief Executive on Donald Trump's leaderboard?

by Pixabits.

Swamp Mess - Memory Game for iOS

posted 2/17/2016 05:18:00 PM by Unknown

A student I work with developed this app for iOS, called Swamp Mess. It's a simple memory game, but fun to play. My 2 year old son LOVES it. And the background "music" is bullfrogs, so its much less annoying than other games he plays... :)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swamp-mess/id1082174609?ls=1&mt=8

U.S. Patent No. 8,523,673: Vocally interactive video game mechanism for displaying recorded physical characteristics of a player in a virtual world and in a physical game space via one or more holographic images

posted 2/16/2016 08:30:00 PM by Patent Arcade Staff

Issued Sep. 3, 2013

Summary:

The ‘673 patent describes an invention that allows a player to personally interact with the game space. More specifically, the patent covers using a microphone to interact with a game system. Additionally, the patent includes scanning the player using a visual recording device, and transmitting that information in game to create a playable holographic image of the player. Through the same recording device, gestures made by the player will also be made by the holographic image.

Abstract:

The present invention is a vocally interactive video gaming mechanism. A microphone is connected to a video game system for allowing a player in a room to communicate by voice within the game. A video recording device is also provided for scanning and recording the physical characteristics of the player to be projected into the gaming world. A holographic projector projects the recorded physical characteristics of the player into the room in which the player is engaged in the game. Messages can be received from a telephone, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, or a digital processor. Game progress can be halted in order for the player to answer or respond or to ignore the message. Movements of the player are tracked and converted into movements of the holographic projection of the player in real time. Voice recognition software enables translation of speech from one language into another language.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A vocally interactive video gaming mechanism comprising:

a) a microphone configured to connect to a video game system to allow a player in a physical game space to communicate by voice of said player within a video game by means of voice recognition software;

b) a video recording device configured to scan the physical game space and record physical characteristics of said player, the physical characteristics including tracked movements of said player within said physical game space, wherein the recorded physical characteristics of said player in said physical game space are synchronously displayed, via a display device, with said voice of said player in a virtual gaming world of said video game in association with a virtual avatar;

c) a holographic projection device configured to holographically project one or more holographic images corresponding to said player into said physical game space in which said player is engaged in said video game, wherein the one or more holographic images mimic the recorded physical characteristics and said voice of said player in real-time; and

d) an audio speaker configured to generate sounds to accompany said one or more holographic images and said virtual avatar.

U.S. Patent No. 8,678,928: System and method to deliver video games

posted 2/09/2016 08:00:00 AM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 8,678,928: System and method to deliver video games

Issued Mar. 25, 2014, to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.

Summary:

The ‘928 patent covers set-top boxes that rely on user logins to access previous game information. The set-top box connects to a server through the internet allowing a user to retrieve information such as previous save points and information about previous play throughs. This information is then shared with other users of set-top boxes connected to the same server, allowing other users to access the save point and information from the first player, and giving users the option to join each others’ games.

Abstract:

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to deliver video games. The method includes receiving a request for a game from a set-top box device. The method also includes determining whether at least one user identity is associated with the set-top box device. The method also includes retrieving previous game information associated with the at least one user identity. The method can also include providing the previous game information to the set-top box device and allowing at least one user to continue a previously executed game in response to a user selection at least partially based on the previous game information.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a game server via an internet protocol television network, a request from a first set-top box device coupled to the internet protocol television network; in response to receiving the request, accessing, by the game server, user account data associated with an internet protocol address of the first set-top box device, wherein the user account data is associated with a user account at a service provider of the internet protocol television network; and when the user account is associated with a user identity created at the first set-top box device, wherein the user identity is associated with a user:

retrieving, by the game server, previous game information associated with the user identity, wherein the previous game information includes a plurality of continuation points of a game, wherein each of the plurality of continuation points is associated with a particular previous execution of the game, and wherein each of the plurality of continuation points is associated with the user identity and with a plurality of additional players; providing, by the game server, the previous game information to the first set-top box device via the internet protocol television network; receiving, by the game server, information from the first set-top box device indicating selection by the user at the first set-top box device of a particular continuation point of the plurality of continuation points;

in response to receiving the information, sending, by the game server, a prompt to a plurality of second set-top box devices, each second set-top box device associated with a particular additional player of the plurality of additional players, wherein the prompt includes a selectable option to continue the game with the user based on the particular continuation point; and in response to receiving data indicating selection of the selectable option in the prompt at at least one of the plurality of second set-top box devices, enabling, by the game server, a first execution of the game between the user and one or more of the plurality of additional players, wherein the first execution is a continuation of the game at least partially based on the particular continuation point.

Job Vacancy: Digital Image Rights and Reproduction Specialist

posted 2/03/2016 02:40:00 PM by Unknown

I don't normally post job openings, but this one looked cool. The Smithsonian Institution is looking for someone that researches, negotiates, obtains, and documents licenses from copyright holders to use images of NPG collection objects in exhibitions, programs, and publications, as well as public awareness and fund raising efforts. S/he also reviews internal and external requests for permission to reproduce NPG collection object images. S/he contributes significantly to the creation, management and distribution of the NPG’s digital image resources. As the NPG transitions toward an open access policy with regard to its collections, the Image Rights Specialist will help to implement this enhanced access and service to the public.

Duties include:

Researches copyright restrictions and coordinates rights documentation and permissions clearance for museum collections; locates rights holders and negotiates usage and licensing agreements; provides guidance to staff regarding restrictions and copyright.
Monitors evolving opinions and policies regarding copyright; liaises with SI offices regarding the Institution’s right’s policies; assists in developing a code of best practices for the museum.
Coordinates the museum’s “fee and free” image dissemination policy; distributes images to a wide variety of requestors via digital hosting and transfer protocols.
Prepares and uploads high-resolution images to the Digital Asset Management System (DAMS); ensures appropriate metadata is embedded and established naming conventions are applied; digitizes legacy files as needed.

Experience or advance degree (e.g., a JD) required.

Applications due by February 22, 2016.

More info here.

U.S. Patent No. 8,535,151: Multimedia-based video game distribution

posted 2/02/2016 08:00:00 AM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent 8,535,151: Multimedia-based video game distribution

Issued Sep. 17, 2013, to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.

Summary:

The ‘151 patent describes a system for selecting games from a content provider. A user selects a game from the first channel. The TV then displays an encrypted channel which contains data about the video game. The encrypted channel is accessed through use of a decryption key associated with the identity of the device used to access the channels. Once the game is accessed, save game information is stored locally, while the majority of data is still accessed through an encrypted channel.

Abstract:

A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a device and sending data of a first channel of the multimedia data stream to a display device to generate a presentation of available video games. The method includes receiving user input selecting a first video game of the available video games and sending an identification of the device and a channel indicator corresponding to an encrypted second channel having video game data associated with the first videogame to a content provider. The method includes receiving a decryption key for the encrypted second channel in response to verification of the identification of the device. The method also includes decrypting the encrypted second channel, beginning storage of the video game data in response to detecting a starting byte of the video game data, and ending storage of the video game data when the starting byte is redetected.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A method comprising:

receiving a multimedia data stream from a content provider at processor of a device, wherein the multimedia data stream comprises a first channel having video content representing a first list of available video games and corresponding channel identifiers and an encrypted second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list;

sending, via the processor, data of the first channel to a display device coupled to the device to generate a presentation of the available video games;

receiving user input selecting the first video game from the presentation at the processor;

sending, via the processor, an identification of the device and a channel indicator corresponding to the encrypted second channel to the content provider in response to the user input;

receiving, at the processor, a decryption key for the encrypted second channel in response to verification of the identification of the device;

decrypting the encrypted second channel with the processor;

beginning storage of the video game data decoded from the encrypted second channel to a video game storage unit in response to detecting a starting byte of the video game data; and

ending storage of the video game data decoded from the encrypted second channel in response to re-detecting the starting byte.