Patents Examined by David Duffy
  • Gaming systems and methods for use in providing random rewards associated with play-for-fun applications
    Patent number: 9607471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one play-for-fun application are disclosed. One exemplary method includes crediting, at the gaming server, gaming activity directed to a play-for-fun application by a player to a player tracking account, issuing at least one coupon associated with a random reward based on at least the gaming activity credited to the player tracking account, tracking, at the gaming server, redemption of the at least one coupon, and awarding the random reward when the coupon is redeemed at a gaming machine in accordance with at least one trigger condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Ryan Cuddy
  • Systems and methods of playing a game on a mobile device
    Patent number: 9604143
    Abstract: The system and/or method comprising: receiving, from a user on a computing device, input selecting a first country from a plurality of countries; receiving, from the user on the computing device, input selecting a first category of songs from a plurality of categories of songs; displaying, on the computing device, a chorus of a song from the selected category of songs, wherein the chorus is the main verse of the song; upon displaying the song on the computing device, displaying a timer indicating a predetermined threshold period of time; and displaying, by the computing device, a chorus of a second song from the selected category of songs, when the predetermined threshold period of time is exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BB Global Players, LLC
    Inventor: Mahender Narala
  • Reconfigurable gaming zone
    Patent number: 9607474
    Abstract: In one embodiment, method of operating a zone-based gaming activity, includes generating, in response to a request, a reconfigurable zone; determining one or more eligible participants; and modifying said zone to change the number of eligible participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nguyen Gaming LLC
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Darrell Rilett
  • Game method and system for game progress based on relationship between characters
    Patent number: 9597593
    Abstract: A game method and a game system to perform the game method and embodied as a computer, the method including verifying, from a team of a user configured during a game, a chemistry level set based on a relationship between characters constituting a team, and graphically displaying the relationship between the characters on a screen based on the chemistry level. The game may be performed by applying the chemistry level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: NHN Entertainment Corporation, NHN Blackpick Corporation
    Inventors: Kieran Kyunghoon Park, Hyun Chul Lee
  • Method for displaying chat window applied to network game
    Patent number: 9597601
    Abstract: Players input their messages in their video game apparatuses and the messages are once collected at a server apparatus, thereafter they are distributed to all video game apparatuses from the game server apparatus. In a display screen of each video game apparatus, a chat window is displayed in order to display messages exchanged between the players on a game screen including a field and characters of the game. The chat window is sequentially enlarged up to a preset maximum number of lines when a new message is received from the game server apparatus. The chat window is sequentially reduced to the preset minimum number of lines when a predetermined time passes without any reception of new message or when the player performs a specific operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX
    Inventors: Hiromichi Tanaka, Tomohiro Kusano
  • Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
    Patent number: 9600968
    Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Yuliya Hungate, Christina Evans, James A. Vasquez, Tonja M. Ferry, Erick T. Ching
  • Gaming system and method of gaming for controlling the display of appearance characteristics of an avatar
    Patent number: 9592449
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system comprising a display and a game controller, the game controller being arranged to identify a player from received player identification data, receive associated player game data of the identified player, and control the display of one or more characteristics of, or associated with, an avatar such that the player is provided with a graphical representation of the player game data. A method of gaming is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Samuel Barbalet, Peter Jude Mastera, Lattamore Osburn, Mark Hripko, Steven Rood
  • Apparatus, system and method for awarding progressive or jackpot prizes
    Patent number: 9582964
    Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Gregory Leigh Plowman
  • Multi-access online game system and method for controlling game for use in the multi-access online game system
    Patent number: 9555329
    Abstract: A multi-access online game system and a game control method for use in the same are disclosed. The game control method is applied to a multi-access online game system which is connected to at least one user client and includes a first server and at least one second server. The method includes: receiving an event message associated with a game from a first user client, wherein the first server receives the game-associated event message when the game-associated event message is not the real-time message, and the at least one second server receive the game-associated event message when the game-associated event message is the real-time message; determining a second user client where the real-time message is to be received; and transmitting the real-time message to the second user client. The real-time message is processed by the second server, so that the load of the first server is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NHN Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Seonghun Kim, Hyojoon Kim
  • Mobile applications and wagering game machines
    Patent number: 9552697
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game is presented at a wagering game machine. A wireless communication is established between the wagering game machine and a mobile device. In response to a wagering game player satisfying a wagering game criteria when playing the wagering game, access to content can be enabled on the mobile device, wherein the content is based on a context resulting from the wagering game player playing the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Q. Earley, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Daniel P. Louie
  • Automatically generated display code for wagering game machine configuration
    Patent number: 9552691
    Abstract: Systems, methods and machine-readable media operate on configuration data for wagering game machines. A wagering game machine configuration or meter data on a wagering game machine is modified. In response to the modification, the configuration data or meter data is transformed into a displayable code such as a bar code or QR (Quick Response) code. The wagering game machine presents the displayable code on a code display of the wagering game machine. A portable computing device reads the displayable code and uses the displayable code to compare the configuration data with configuration data obtained from other wagering game machines or configuration data obtained from a configuration server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Travis N. Nelson, Peter R. Anderson, Sridhar Gondesi, Jacek A. Grabiec, Matthew J. Ward
  • Hybrid arcade-type, wager-based gaming techniques and predetermined RNG outcome batch retrieval techniques
    Patent number: 9542799
    Abstract: Various aspects described for implementing hybrid arcade/wager-based gaming techniques via computer networks, including one or more casino gaming networks. The hybrid arcade/wager-based game may include a non-wager based gaming portion and a wager-based gaming portion. One or more players are able to concurrently engage in continuous game play of the non-wager based gaming portion during execution of wager-based gaming events which are automatically triggered based on events which occur during play of the non-wager based gaming portion. Other aspects are directed to wager-based gaming techniques for remotely retrieving, before the occurrence of wager-based triggering events, one or more batches of predetermined RNG outcomes from an RNG engine, and for using at least one of the retrieved, predetermined RNG outcomes to determine future wager-based game event outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Synergy Blue, LLC
    Inventors: Georg Washington, Joe Serra, Tom Stankevich, Justin MacAuley
  • Gaming system and a method of gaming
    Patent number: 9542809
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a gaming system which includes a symbol selector which is arranged to select a plurality of symbols from an available set of symbols. The set of symbols may include one or more predetermined symbols. The predetermined symbols form a predetermined symbol arrangement, such as a pattern or word. When a predetermined symbol is selected it is placed in a symbol store. When the predetermined symbol arrangement is completed, by selection of all of the predetermined symbols, then a prize may be won.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Hyong Joo Kim
  • Gaming system and method providing a slot game including a symbol generator modification event
    Patent number: 9536376
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a slot game including a symbol generator modification event. In various embodiments, the gaming system is configured to provide a slot game, each play of which employs a subset of a plurality of symbol generators. If a symbol generator modification event occurs in association with a first play that employs a first subset of the symbol generators, the gaming system removes one of the symbol generators from the first subset and adds another one of the plurality of symbol generators to the first subset to form a second subset, and employs the second subset for a second play. The gaming system removes and adds the symbol generators to form the second subset such that the average expected payback percentage of the second play is greater than the average expected payback percentage of the first play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott A. Caputo, Leandro Basallo, Jon M. Leupp
  • Reel device for a gaming machine
    Patent number: 9530286
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a reel having an outer circumferential surface on which symbols are lined up; a reel driving mechanism which rotates the reel to rearrange the symbols; a magnet which is provided in the reel driving mechanism to change an external magnetic field in accordance with the rotation of the reel; a magnetic force detecting mechanism which detects a magnetic force of the external magnetic field so as to output a magnetic force detection signal; a reel setting unit by which the magnetic force detection signal and arrangement positions of the symbols are associated with one another; and a reel drive control unit which controls the reel driving mechanism so that the symbols are rearranged in a predetermined arrangement based on the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement positions of the symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Noritoshi Kukita, Hiroatsu Ike, Yoshitomo Sasaki
  • Gaming system and method providing indication of notable symbols
    Patent number: 9530287
    Abstract: The gaming device and method disclosed herein produces an indication of an appearance of a notable or designated symbol in a symbol display region while at least one reel is spinning. The indication continues while the notable symbol appears in the symbol display region and while the at least one reel is spinning. Different indications are produced for the different notable symbols when appearing in the symbol display region while the at least one reel is spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Hoffman, Christmas C. Parker, Paulina Rodgers
  • Game method and system using condition according to collected characters
    Patent number: 9522336
    Abstract: A game method and a game system to perform the method and embodied as a computer, the method including configuring a level-based league for teams of users, performing a league game between teams included in the level-based league at predetermined time intervals regardless of whether the users connect to the game system, providing runtime broadcasting information about the league game to a terminal of a user in response to a request for observing the league game from the user that connects to the game system over a network, during a period in which the league game is ongoing, and calculating and managing a progress result of the league game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: NHN Entertainment Corporation, NHN Blackpick Corporation
    Inventors: Gu Young Jeong, Sung Sik Lim
  • Gaming system and method for providing a bonus game with a choice by another player(s)
    Patent number: 9524616
    Abstract: A gaming system having a plurality of game devices, a game controller, a shared experience controller and a method for operation thereof is disclosed. Each game device allows a player to make a wager on a game and awards the respective player an award as a function as a result of a winning condition for the game played by the respective player. The game controller is coupled to the game devices for playing the game, randomly establishing the actual outcome of the game, and determining if any of the players have a winning condition. The shared experience controller is coupled to the game devices for recognizing a bonus condition for one of the players, responsively providing a choice of items to one or more other players, and providing a bonus award to the one player and/or any of the other players in response to selection of on of the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Roireau
  • Combining games suited for synchronous play with games suited for asynchronous play
    Patent number: 9517413
    Abstract: A method of combining games suited for synchronous play with games suited for asynchronous play is disclosed. It is identified that a first player and a second player are playing a primary game. The primary game has been determined to require the first player and the second player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the primary game. The first player and a third player are provided with an option to play a secondary game simultaneously with the first game. The secondary game is adapted such that it is determined that the secondary game does not require the first player and the third player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the secondary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Shane Ishmael Sareli, Michael Kane, Justin Potter Driemeyer, Lamberto Alvaro
  • Programmable game-based haptic enabled gun controller
    Patent number: 9504914
    Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventors: Danny A. Grant, Erin Ramsay, Ali Modarres, David M. Birnbaum, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Robert W. Heubel, Hendrik Bartel