Patent US5630754A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5630754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for disclosing a target pattern for identification
Assignee: Resrev Partners
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1997-05-20
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Methods of disclosing a target pattern for identification. The methods are based on the principle of sequentially and non-lexicographically revealing, constructing and/or resolving a target pattern to players to permit the players to identify the target pattern. One such method includes the steps of masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player, repetitively unmasking portions of the target pattern according predetermined unmasking steps, and continuing to unmask the target pattern until a completion criterion is met. Target patterns may consist of still images, audio segments, or motion video sequences depicting items and environments known to the players in their unmasked formats.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Rebane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:43
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/065; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/243; A63F2009/2432; A63F2009/2433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the target pattern through resolution wherein the entire target pattern is partially resolved in each repetitive unmasking step; continuing to unmask the target pattern through resolution until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the target pattern through resolution wherein the entire target pattern is partially resolved in each repetitive unmasking step; continuing to unmask the target pattern through resolution until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the target pattern includes a still image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the target pattern includes a text pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the target pattern includes a moving video signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the target pattern includes an audio signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1, further including the step of delivering the target pattern to the player using one of a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, television delivery, broadcast radio, a movie screen, print media, interactive TV, a virtual reality interface, and combinations thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking the target pattern according to a combination of non-lexicographic revelation, resolution and construction steps; and continuing to unmask the target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking the target pattern according to a combination of non-lexicographic revelation, resolution and construction steps; and continuing to unmask the target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the target pattern includes one of an audio signal, a still image, a moving video signal, a text pattern, and a multimedia combination thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 7, further including the step of delivering the target pattern to the player using one of a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, a television, a radio, an interactive television, print media, a movie screen, a virtual reality interface, and combinations thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of repetitively unmasking the target pattern is performed according to a predetermined rule sequence until the completion criterion is met.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of presenting a moving video target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the moving video target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the moving video target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the moving video target pattern according to non-lexicographic unmasking steps; continuing to unmask the moving video target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of presenting a moving video target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the moving video target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the moving video target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the moving video target pattern according to non-lexicographic unmasking steps; continuing to unmask the moving video target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 11, further including the step of delivering the moving video target pattern to the player using one of a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, a television, a movie screen, a virtual reality interface, and combinations thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of repetitively unmasking is performed according to a predetermined rule sequence until the completion criterion is met.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of presenting a multimedia target pattern, including a combination selected from the group of audio signals, moving video signals, and still video signals, to be perceived by a player for identification of the multimedia target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the multimedia target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the multimedia target pattern according to preselected steps; and continuing to unmask the multimedia target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of presenting a multimedia target pattern, including a combination selected from the group of audio signals, moving video signals, and still video signals, to be perceived by a player for identification of the multimedia target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the multimedia target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the multimedia target pattern according to preselected steps; and continuing to unmask the multimedia target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of delivering the multimedia target pattern to the player using one of a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, a television, an interactive television, a virtual reality interface, and combinations thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of repetitively unmasking is performed according to a predetermined rule sequence until the completion criterion is met.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of presenting a text target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the text target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the text target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the text target pattern according to non-lexicographic unmasking steps; continuing to unmask the text target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of presenting a text target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the text target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the text target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the text target pattern according to non-lexicographic unmasking steps; continuing to unmask the text target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 17, further including the step of delivering the text target pattern to the player using a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, a television, a movie screen, or a virtual reality interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of repetitively unmasking is performed according to a predetermined rule sequence until the completion criterion is met.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through resolution wherein the entire target pattern is partially resolved in each repetitive unmasking process in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through resolution wherein the entire target pattern is partially resolved in each repetitive unmasking process in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the data processing system further comprises a remote data processing system including means for performing processing at a location remote from both the input device and the output device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising a remote library containing target patterns to be accessed by the data processing system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the output device comprises one of a screen, a speaker, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the input device comprises one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the target pattern through construction; continuing to unmask the target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of presenting a target pattern to be perceived by a player for identification of the target pattern comprising the steps of: masking the target pattern to make it imperceptible to the player; repetitively unmasking portions of the target pattern through construction; continuing to unmask the target pattern until a completion criterion is met.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the target pattern includes a still image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the target pattern includes a text pattern.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the target pattern includes a moving video signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the target pattern includes an audio signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 25, further including the step of delivering the target pattern to the player using one of a personal computer, a dedicated game computer, television delivery, broadcast radio, a movie screen, print media, interactive TV, a virtual reality interface, and combinations thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through construction in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through construction in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the data processing system further comprises a remote data processing system including means for performing processing at a location remote from both the input device and the output device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to the claim 31, further comprising a remote library containing target patterns to be accessed by the data processing system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the output device comprises one of a screen, a speaker, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the input device comprises one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through a combination of two or more of the group consisting of construction, revelation, and resolution in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for disclosing a masked target pattern to a player for identification of the target pattern by the player, comprising: a data processing system including means for masking the target pattern, for performing processing on the masked target pattern to repetitively unmask the target pattern through a combination of two or more of the group consisting of construction, revelation, and resolution in response to input from the player, and for comparing a target pattern identification input by the player with a known correct target pattern identification; an input device, coupled to the data processing system, for receiving the player input; and an output device, coupled to the data processing system, for outputting the masked target pattern to the player as the target pattern is repetitively unmasked and for outputting an indication of whether the target pattern identification input by the player is equivalent to the known correct target pattern identification.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the data processing system further comprises a remote data processing system including means for performing processing at a location remote from both the input device and the output device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a remote library containing target patterns to be accessed by the data processing system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the output device comprises one of a screen, a speaker, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the input device comprises one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, a virtual reality device, and combinations thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-11-18 | 2001-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-19 | 2004-11-18 | 2005-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-19 | 2008-11-18 | 2009-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |