Visit BannerWitcoff.com
U.S. Patent No. 8,802,953: Scoring of free-form vocals for video game
Issued August 12, 2014, to Activision Publishing
Priority Date February 5, 2009



Summary:
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. 

Abstract:
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.

Illustrative Claim:
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.

Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas

U.S. Patent No. 7,663,045: Music replacement in a gaming system
Issued February 16, 2010, to Microsoft Corp.
Priority Date September 20, 2005




Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 7,663,045 (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.

Abstract:
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.


Illustrative Claim:
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.


Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas


U.S. Patent No. 9,687,733: Game apparatus, storage medium, game controlling method and game system
Issued June 27, 2017, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Priority Date February 23, 2011




Summary:
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.

Abstract:
A game apparatus includes a micon, and the micon measures step counts in correspondence with the magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor when a user carries the game apparatus in a sleep mode in which the apparatus is closed. The step counts are converted into earned coins. In each of a plurality of games executed by the game apparatus, by using the earned coins, a special item is purchased, playing in a special course is permitted, a hint is displayed, and a game is played in fast-forward.


Illustrative Claim:
1. A game apparatus comprising an input device, the apparatus configured to at least:
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.


Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas


U.S. Patent No. 8,784,202: Apparatus and method for repositioning a virtual camera based on a change game state
Issued July 22, 2014, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Priority Date June 3, 2011




Summary:
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.

Abstract:
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.

Illustrative Claim:
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.


Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas

U.S. Patent No. 9,511,292: Video game competition notifications
Issued December 6, 2016, to Sony Interactive Entertainment America, LLC
Priority Date October 20, 2009




Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 9,511,292 (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.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.


Illustrative Claim:
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.


Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas



< Previous     Home     Next >

Get the Patent Arcade App

Get the Patent Arcade App
Available now for iOS

Search This Blog


Recognition

Buy your copy today!

Buy your copy today!
ABA Legal Guide, 2d Ed.

Ross Dannenberg

Scott Kelly

Scott Kelly

Labels

Archives

Blogroll

Data Analytics

Copyright ©2005–present Ross Dannenberg. All rights reserved.
Visit BannerWitcoff.com