Patents Examined by David Duffy
  • Patent number: 9830609
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for obtaining information associated with spend history of a first user in connection with playing an online game and processing the information associated with the spend history to assign the user spend parameter value to the first user which may be further used to provide selective access to an exclusive virtual section associated with an online game when the user spend parameter value meets the spend threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Clive Henrick, Joshua Morris
  • Patent number: 9830770
    Abstract: An electronic wager based gaming system includes primary communication devices, a game administration server component, and a player account server component, all adapted to communicate with separate third party computing (i.e., player) devices, such as smart phones. The game administration component administers wager based game play on player devices and communicates game inputs and results therewith via primary communication devices. The player account component facilitates new player account creation by providing unique verification information to the player device (such as via display to the player) and facilitating the reception of player specific financial information from the player via a separate secondary communication device. This secondary device can involve a voice call with a human operator for the system, where the operator enters the new player information, which is then sent back to the player device via the primary communication device and confirmed by the player over the voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mobile Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reaves, George Weinberg
  • Patent number: 9821228
    Abstract: Example systems and methods relate to playing a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a game world displayed on a display screen. Movements of each game character in the game world are controlled in accordance with respective first game character control operations during the playing of the multi-player video game. In response to satisfaction of one or more conditions, one player's game character is protected from harm in the game world, wherein one of the one or more conditions is a condition triggered voluntarily by the one player. Movements of the protected game character in the game world are controlled based on a position of another, unprotected game character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Miyamoto, Hiroyuki Kimura, Shigeyuki Asuke
  • Patent number: 9808710
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: storing in a memory information of one or more game objects; causing to be displayed on a user interface of a touchscreen display a game board comprising one or more of said game objects; in response to determining contact or proximity of a selector at a first location of said display, determining by the processor one or more of said game objects stored in said memory that are displayed on and/or proximate to said location; and causing one or more of said game objects that are displayed on and/or proximate to said first location to be displayed on said display in a magnified region at a second location, wherein said second location is spaced from said first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventor: Bogdan Ionita
  • Patent number: 9811969
    Abstract: A gaming system internally secures a modular, critical-electronics central processing unit (CPU) box enclosure having various security features, a power source, a power regulator module, a removable fan assembly, and a backplane providing connection between all the other elements contained within the housing. The removable fan assembly is a modular, hot-swappable, encased unit that provides air flow in a plurality of directions using a corresponding plurality of individually sensed and controlled fans. The fan assembly can be removed during operation of the wagering game machine without interfering with the operations of any other electronic component and without breaking one or more validated seals of the enclosure, the validated seals enabling the gaming system to perform a wagering game having regulatory approval in a given jurisdiction. The removable fan assembly is coupled to one or more processing units that detects, monitors, and controls the operation of the individual fans the fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot W Salzman, Aaron W Levinsky, Sten H Mejenborg, Christopher J Talko
  • Patent number: 9805556
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a gaming device, a gaming system, and/or a method that may: determine one or more wagers relating to one or more game plays; determine one or more stacking areas to turn on to utilize during a first spin; determine one or more stacking areas to turn on to utilize during a second spin; determine any non-compliant overlap reel positions between a first spin and a second spin; and correct any non-compliant overlap reel positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Sigmund Hyunjai Lee, Jason Prometheus Pawloski, Eric Steven Boese, Marc Christopher McDermott, Nathan MacGregor
  • Patent number: 9802117
    Abstract: A game device includes: a screen image generating unit that generates and displays an image of a golf course, a landing point control unit that displays a marker indicating a predicted landing point of a ball, and a shot control unit operative to control a shot. Upon receiving an input instruction for moving the position of the marker, the landing point control unit moves the position of the marker by, changing the azimuth angle of the marker in a continuous manner along with a movement of an indicated position and by changing the radius of the marker discretely, when the position of the marker is represented by a two-dimensional polar coordinate system of which the origin point is a current ball position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kotsugai, Kentaro Suzuki, Masashi Muramori, Hirofumi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9789403
    Abstract: A method for real time processing of images providing a real time preview of face images for interaction with a game environment. Images from one or more image sensors are processed providing a modified image of a certain size and certain shape, for algorithmically detecting and tracking faces in the modified image for a real time preview of face images overlaid on a game environment. The real time preview of face images is configured for user control for interaction with the game environment. A facial gesture control functionality is disclosed for the execution of game commands allowing control of the real time preview of a face images for interaction with the game environment. The method of the present invention further discloses real time processing of images from a second image sensor for a real time preview of a second face images for interaction with the game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventors: Odile Aimee Furment, Isaac Segall
  • Patent number: 9779585
    Abstract: A gaming system, and method of controlling a gaming system, having a touchscreen, that simulates a game of skill by showing a graphical object and detecting a pair of spaced-apart user input touch points on the touchscreen. An increase in distance between the touch points corresponds to an increase in stress upon the object, which is animated on the touchscreen, and scaling of an associated reward. A failure threshold is selected and the increase in stress is tested against the failure threshold. The failure threshold may be at least partly randomized. If the stress exceeds the threshold, then a failure event is shown. If the touch input ceases, the user may elect to accept then current reward value or to continue. The object may be a bubble and the stress may be expansion of the bubble, leading to popping of the bubble if the expansion exceeds the failure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: IGT CANADA SOLUTIONS ULC
    Inventors: Reuben Dupuis, Stefan Keilwert, Scott Edsall
  • Patent number: 9767650
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes input device(s), display device(s), processor(s), and memory device(s). The memory devices store instructions that, when executed, cause the gaming system to receive a wager to initiate each instance of the wagering game, randomly select a game outcome for each instance of the wagering game, display the randomly selected game outcome for each instance, and initiate a special event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during an instance of the wagering game. At least two of the randomly selected outcomes include a first special symbol that has a dynamic secondary element. The dynamic secondary element represents a first enhancement in a first instance and a second enhancement in a second instance of the wagering game. The triggering event and special event are associated with at least one special symbol. The special event is modified by the dynamic secondary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Jeffry L. Nauman, Keith Burza
  • Patent number: 9751019
    Abstract: A music-based video game provides for game play based, in part, on a game player's physical performance. The game player's physical performance can be used to modify game play aspects and game play events, for example, the view or behavior of a crowd scene. A representation of a musician may be provided, with the musician mimicking movements of the game player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Jackson, David Osbourn, Neil Wigfield, Joel Davey, Nathan Coppard, Andy Bastable
  • Patent number: 9747744
    Abstract: A gaming device displays a symbol matrix including a plurality of symbol positions and at least two symbol staging areas, each symbol staging area including at least one supplemental symbol potentially shiftable into the symbol matrix. The gaming device displays a symbol staging area indicator. For a play of a game, the gaming device generates a symbol in each symbol position of the symbol matrix. Upon an occurrence of a triggering condition, the gaming device indicates one of the symbol staging areas using the symbol staging area indicator and removes at least one symbol from at least one symbol position of the symbol matrix. The gaming device re-populates the empty symbol positions by shifting any appropriate symbols of the symbol matrix any appropriate empty symbol positions, and thereafter shifting at least one supplemental symbol from the indicated symbol staging area into at least one remaining empty symbol position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Erick T. Ching, Benjamin D. Menesini
  • Patent number: 9734668
    Abstract: A gambling smart card with betting limits is used in a gambling system. A gambler uses a smart card to place bets in a casino. The bet is reduced by a factor previously chosen by the gambler and agreed to by the casino. The smart card is programmed to reduce the bet by the agreed upon factor or percentage. The player appears to be betting more than the player actually bets because the winnings or losses will be reduced by the agreed upon factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Owen Nation, Carol M. Nation
  • Patent number: 9685044
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method that includes displaying a group of numbers to a first and second player. The system and method further includes receiving a group of N numbers and a sequence of numbers for first and second players. The system and method includes receiving a wager, fold indication or raise indication from the first or second player and receiving an event result that includes N winning numbers corresponding to winning participants and a winning sequence of N winning numbers. The system and method includes receiving a wager, fold indication or raise indication from a first or second player and comparing the N winning numbers and winning sequence to the numbers and sequences for the first and second players. The system and method includes identifying a winning player matching winning criteria of a higher ranking winning category and distributing a winning pool of wagers to the one winning player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Intralot S.A.—Integrated Lottery Systems and Services
    Inventors: Yiannis Gangas, Evangelos Kalloudis
  • Patent number: 9659441
    Abstract: A method for alerting a player about a wagering game machine is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving, via a communications network from a handheld computing device, player preferences for an opt-in proximity alert. The method can further include creating the opt-in proximity alert based, at least in part, on the player preferences. The method can further include determining, via one or more processors, that the handheld computing device is in proximity to a wagering game machine matching the player preferences. The method can further include causing the handheld computing device to present an alert about the wagering game machine matching the player preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Donald E. Brundage, Venkatesh A. Khanna
  • Patent number: 9652928
    Abstract: A gaming device, gaming device display and method are set forth which includes a first electronic, video display including L-shaped sub-displays mated to define a frame surrounding an opening which accommodates a second display. The second display may be a mechanical component extending through the opening to operate for example a pointer operating with the first video display to provide a game function. The opening may also be configured to reveal a mechanical, electro-mechanical or video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon Bernard, Karl Wudtke
  • Patent number: 9630106
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing audio in a bank of gaming machines, such as video slot and video poker machines. Audio tracks of a game may be provided to a plurality of gaming machines and synchronized. An audio track provided to one of the gaming machines may be changed to a second audio track, in response to receiving an indication of a status change for the game. The second audio track may be synchronized with the audio tracks provided to the other gaming machines in the plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Duane R. Decker, Nicholas B. Mayne, Lee E. Huber
  • Patent number: 9633514
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Chad Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9626833
    Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of players with an opportunity to win a plurality of progressive awards maintained by the gaming system. The gaming system accumulates a quantity of progressive event points for each player playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points for a designated player to determine which one or more of the progressive awards the designated player wins. In another embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points to determine the designated player's probability of winning one or more of the progressive awards. Accordingly, the gaming system provides a point-based system in which either a progressive award to win or a probability of winning a progressive award is determined based on the quantities of progressive event points accumulated by the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ryan W. Cuddy, Mohammed A. Saffari, Bryan D. Wolf
  • Patent number: 9623335
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for obtaining information associated with spend history of a first user in connection with playing an online game and processing the information associated with the spend history to assign the user spend parameter value to the first user which may be further used to provide selective access to an exclusive virtual section associated with an online game when the user spend parameter value meets the spend threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Clive Henrick, Joshua Morris