Patents Assigned to Patent Investment & Licensing Company
  • Patent number: 8313369
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investments & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Publication number: 20120244933
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8272941
    Abstract: Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. In another aspect, winning the bonus award may be based on payback percentage or outcomes of the base game. In yet another aspect, the timing of the next bonus award can be configured, or otherwise based on one or more conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Publication number: 20120202590
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Publication number: 20120190426
    Abstract: This concept is directed to gaming devices configured to vary the speed of game play, as well as method of operating gaming devices to vary the speed of play. In some examples of the this concept, a gaming device may be configured to include a game initiating button that when pressed by a player triggers a game processor to ascertain and display a first game outcome, determine if the first game outcome is a winning outcome, and automatically ascertain and display a second game outcome if the first game outcome is not a winning outcome. If the first game outcome is a winning outcome the gaming device may pause to allow the player to appreciate the win before retriggering the processor to ascertain and display subsequent gaming event outcomes, or the gaming device may wait to receive further player input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8216063
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8192267
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide an electronic gaming device that facilitates wagering by multiple players on a single gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play on such a gaming device, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming station, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming station, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming stations, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Publication number: 20120135800
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to generating and displaying a score related to the results of wagering by a player on an electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, a method for generating a score related to play on at least one electronic gaming device includes tracking the amount wagered on the gaming device, tracking the amount awarded by the gaming device, and generating a score related to the tracked amounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Patent number: 8177647
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Investment & Licensing Company
    Inventor: John F. Acres