Systems and methods for manipulation of objects

• US 9,517,412 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2015
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tetris Holding, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tetris Holding, LLC
• Inventors: Eden, Jared Wiant, Boon, Mark, Cook, Nicholas Jacob, Rogers, Henk B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARPER, TRAMAR YONG
• Application Number:
  US14/860,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20160011750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/24 Classification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/60 Analysis of geometric attributes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for manipulating an object include a display for displaying an object where the object has a geometric shape and is arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape. The display also displays at least a second orientation of the geometric shape in proximity to the object. The system includes a user interface for receiving a user input to select the second orientation of the geometric shape. A processor, in communication with the display and user interface, determines one or more possible orientations of the object including the second orientation and arranges the orientation of the geometric shape of the object to match the selected second orientation.

Claims

1. A system for manipulating a first object in relation to one or more other objects comprising:

a computer;

a computer readable medium, operatively coupled to the computer, the computer readable medium storing program codes causing the computer to execute a game by performing functions comprising;

displaying the one or more other objects on a display such that each of the one or more other objects has a geometric shape, is arranged in an orientation of the geometric shape, and is non-overlapping with respect to any other objects;

displaying the first object in a first position on the display, the first object having a geometric shape and being arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape;

determining a single best destination position and orientation candidate of the object from among one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates based on at least one of a selected portion of the display, the geometric shape of the object, the geometric shape of one or more subsequently available objects, one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates, the height to width ratio of an object or the other objects, the number and position of any empty cells next to the other objects, any gaps next to the other objects, and any empty cells or gaps subsequent to positioning and orienting the object;

wherein the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are next to at least one of the one or more other objects, the first object being non-overlapping with respect to any one of the other objects when positioned and oriented at the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates;

displaying the single best destination position and orientation candidate in a format other than a format for the first object and the one or more other objects, wherein the format includes at least one of a color, shading, transparency, texture, and patterning, and wherein one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are not displayed;

receiving a user input from a user to select the single best destination position and orientation candidate of the first object, wherein the user input includes selecting a portion of the display associated with the destination position; and

positioning and orienting the first object at the destination position and orientation in response to the user input.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the best destination position and orientation candidate is not adjacent to the first position of the first object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first object cannot rotate at the destination position and orientation after the positioning and orienting.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer performs functions comprising setting a time limit for manipulating the first object from when the first object is first displayed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the computer performs functions comprising moving the first object from a first position toward a second position on the display at a rate of movement.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the time limit is based on the rate of movement of the first object and the second position on the display.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the geometric shape is two-dimensional.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the geometric shape includes at least one of a tetromino, trimino, pentomino, and polyomino.

9. A method for manipulating a first object in relation to one or more other objects comprising:

displaying the one or more other objects on a display such that each of the one or more other objects has a geometric shape, is arranged in an orientation of the geometric shape, and is non-overlapping with respect to any other objects;

displaying the first object in a first position on the display, the first object having a geometric shape and being arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape;

determining a single best destination position and orientation candidate of the object from among one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates based on at least one of a selected portion of the display, the geometric shape of the object, the geometric shape of one or more subsequently available objects, one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates, the height to width ratio of an object or the other objects, the number and position of any empty cells next to the other objects, any gaps next to the other objects, and any empty cells or gaps subsequent to positioning and orienting the object;

wherein the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are next to at least one of the one or more other objects, the first object being non-overlapping with respect to any one of the other objects when positioned and oriented at the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates;

displaying the single best destination position and orientation candidate in a format other than a format for the first object and the one or more other objects, wherein the format includes at least one of a color, shading, transparency, texture, and patterning, and wherein one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are not displayed;

receiving a user input from a user to select the single best destination position and orientation candidate of the first object, wherein the user input includes selecting a portion of the display associated with the destination position; and

positioning and orienting the first object at the destination position and orientation in response to the user input.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the best destination position and orientation candidate is not adjacent to the first position of the first object.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first object cannot rotate at the destination position and orientation after the positioning and orienting.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the computer performs functions comprising setting a time limit for manipulating the first object from when the first object is first displayed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the computer performs functions comprising moving the first object from a first position toward a second position on the display at a rate of movement.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the time limit is based on the rate of movement of the first object and the second position on the display.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the geometric shape is two-dimensional.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the geometric shape includes at least one of a tetromino, trimino, pentomino, and polyomino.

17. A portable electronic device configured for manipulating a first object in relation to one or more other objects comprising:

a user interface arranged to;

display the one or more other objects on a display such that each of the one or more other objects has a geometric shape, is arranged in an orientation of the geometric shape, and is non-overlapping with respect to any other objects;

display the first object in a first position on the display, the first object having a geometric shape and being arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape;

display the single best destination position and orientation candidate in a format other than a format for the first object and the one or more other objects, wherein the format includes at least one of a color, shading, transparency, texture, and patterning, and wherein one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are not displayed; and

receive a user input from a user to select the single best destination position and orientation candidate of the first object, wherein the user input includes selecting a portion of the display associated with the destination position; and

a processor, in communication with the user interface, arranged to;

determine a single best destination position and orientation candidate of the object from among one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates based on at least one of a selected portion of the display, the geometric shape of the object, the geometric shape of one or more subsequently available objects, one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates, the height to width ratio of an object or the other objects, the number and position of any empty cells next to the other objects, any gaps next to the other objects, and any empty cells or gaps subsequent to positioning and orienting the object;

wherein the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates are next to at least one of the one or more other objects, the first object being non-overlapping with respect to any one of the other objects when positioned and oriented at the one or more possible destination position and orientation candidates; and

position and orient the first object at the destination position and orientation in response to the user input.