Patents Examined by Julie Brocketti
  • Patent number: 8398404
    Abstract: The system and method to advance human performance in sighting, tracking, recognizing, and reacting to (collectively “engaging”) moving and stationary objects, for example, advancing skill in engaging targets with a firearm. System components include software and hardware that provide target and non-target image stimuli that can be manually or automatically generated as stationary or moving stimuli in a blank or a rendered scene environment. The methods including increase stimuli movement speeds and/or reducing the interval between or the time for which stimuli are displayed until the trainee fails to properly engage the stimuli, then reduce the movement speeds and/or increase the interval time to levels at which the trainee properly engages the stimuli. By repeating training methods with increasing speed, the trainee will be conditioned to achieve proper stimuli engagement with increasingly elevated speed and accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Conflict Kinetics LLC
    Inventor: Brian Stanley
  • Patent number: 8380120
    Abstract: A message storage apparatus that can stimulate creativity and imagination of children and adolescents is disclosed. The apparatus facilitates storage of messages such as secrets, memories, notes, diary entries, wishes, dreams, trivia and other educational facts, quiz and other game questions, valentines, etc. More particularly, the apparatus can virtually (or physically) store intangible (and tangible) messages, thereby enhancing creativity and imagination. The message storage apparatus has a message delivery system that receives a message and delivers it securely to a storage chamber where the message can be accessed at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
    Inventors: Meagan Ruhlman, Derek K. Gauger, George P. Dudash, Jay D. Duffy, Adam Deel
  • Patent number: 8303311
    Abstract: A call center system for coaching a player in judgmental aspects of an athletic sport or for practicing judgmental aspects of the sport includes a call center computer having a display and a memory. The system may also include a camera, a telephone, and a position locator system. Either the pictures stored in the memory or pictures taken with the camera are used to provide coaching or practice. Pictures of a golf course, golf course mapping data, or both are stored in a call center system. GPS data indicating the position of a golf ball on a golf course hole is used to provide either an overhead view of the hole and terrain features, pictures of the course at or near the location of the ball, or both, on a golf professional computer display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Carl A. Forest
  • Patent number: 7144322
    Abstract: A game, gaming machine apparatus and game method wherein game elements are assigned to a matrix of game element locations. Play is initiated by evaluating the game elements for predetermined transformative conditions, such as a match of game elements. If a transformative condition is found, the game element(s) are transformed with at least one being removed from the matrix. The remaining game elements are moved, if permitted, according to a movement methodology. The steps of evaluating, transforming, removing, and moving the remaining game elements are repeated so long as a transformation is subsequently available for continued gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Case Venture Management, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Scott D. Slomiany, Duncan F. Brown, Lawrence E. DeMar
  • Patent number: 7118477
    Abstract: An electronic bingo device used for dispensing bingo cards and tracking the cards for bingo during play. The apparatus is equipped with a conventional computer hardware platform and software tailored to track a bingo game by use of a game key with memory for storing data representative of a set of bingo game data including winning patterns and wild cards used during each game. In addition, a player's allocation of bingo cards is stored on the game key. Bingo cards stored in the device corresponding to the number allocated are used for game play. As the player enters the numbers are called out in the bingo hall. The device monitors each card for bingo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Bettina Corp.
    Inventor: William G. Kellen
  • Patent number: 7112133
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 includes a simulation system for simulating the playing of a game, the simulation system enabling predetermined starting parameters to be set. A comparator compares an end condition of a simulation run by the simulation system using the starting parameters with a pre-calculated desired outcome of the game. A comparator of a processor of the gaming machine 10 adjusts the starting parameters such that the end condition of the simulation coincides with that of the desired outcome of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Martin Lyons
  • Patent number: 7104891
    Abstract: A partial shadow volume having a predetermined height defined by a contour of a character object and light coming from a light source is formed based on undulations of a land object, and is then stored in advance in a DVD-ROM or the like. A CPU reads this partial shadow volume for placing the partial shadow volume at a point of intersection of the land object and a line extending from character object placement coordinates to a light direction. The placed partial shadow volume is rendered by using the stencil buffer. Based on values in the stencil buffer, a shadow of the character object cast on the land object is rendered. Thus, a realistic shadow can be rendered with a reduced processing load for shadow rendering processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Osako, Naoya Morimura
  • Patent number: 7101284
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an object such as a billboard in a virtual world is provided. An input history of a user's operation for moving a character in the virtual world is obtained. The movement track of the character in the virtual world is also obtained. The position and direction of the billboard are changed according to the input history and the movement track so that the billboard is visible to the user. For instance, on a street where the user is expected to move at a high speed, the direction of the billboard is changed so that its display surface can face the front of the character and the billboard is displayed in a position far away from the user's viewing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Kake, Akio Ohba
  • Patent number: 7097559
    Abstract: The CPU 161 of the video game apparatus comprises a performance determination unit 161b that determines the order of finish of the players each time a game is completed, a parameter calculation unit 161g that calculates parameters indicating the characteristics of each player in playing games based on the game history data stored in a history storage unit 162b described below and a title assigning unit 161h that assigns a title applicable during games to each player based on the calculated parameters, and the RAM 162 comprises a history storage unit 162b that stores past player game history data for each player, and a title storage unit 162c that associates the titles assigned by the title assigning unit 161h with the players and stores them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Okita, Kazutaka Kubota, Yuuki Harano, Hiroyuki Wada, Masakazu Shibamiya, Takashi Makiishi
  • Patent number: 7070499
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to execute bets that includes a plurality of buttons for creating derivative bets that modify an initial combination of groups of competitors to create derivative combinations of an original bet. The method and apparatus of the present invention incorporate new functions that make it easier for a bettor to enter and register wagers. The entering and registration of pari-mutuel wagers is made easier by the apparatus and method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Fernando Vicente Ruiz Ocampo
  • Patent number: 7070504
    Abstract: When a doghouse symbol (T5) is displayed in the display region (E2) where the varying display is stopped at last, a Toby image (42) running from the doghouse symbol (T5) toward a display region (A2) is displayed. The display that the Toby image (42) jumps into the display region (A2) is made, and a regular symbol displayed in the display region (A2) changes into a Toby symbol (T2). The chance games are executed for three times at maximum. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming apparatus whose attractiveness is enhanced by making a variety of display for announcing a game's state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ARUZE Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7066812
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards a method and apparatus for a portable gaming machine. The method activates several bingo games that are stored in the portable gaming machine. The activation makes the bingo games available to a bingo player for playing. The bingo player is presented with an option to switch from a first bingo game to a second bingo game while retaining numbers entered by the bingo player in the first bingo game. The method also records every keystroke entered by a bingo player for each game. These keystrokes can be displayed in an expeditious manner to a gaming official upon entering of a password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: LIF Capital LLC
    Inventors: Lee I. Fried, Alex V. Freed
  • Patent number: 7066814
    Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus and method for regenerating or awarding extra chances or opportunities to a player in connection with a gaming device and preferably in a bonus round of a gaming device. The present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a plurality of extra chances or opportunities upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. More specifically, the present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a number of extra chances or opportunities equal to the number of chances or opportunities with which the player enters or begins the game or bonus round of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7056212
    Abstract: A secondary game operable on a gaming machine top box includes visual representations of a plurality of bingo cards formed of five columns, each column corresponding to a letter in B-I-N-G-O. The secondary game also includes peripheral spaces on the top box corresponding to each letter on each card. Qualified players, e.g. those making a maximum bet on the base game, cause the secondary game to operate whereby one of the peripheral spaces is selected. A letter causes the column on the card associated with that letter to be lit; however, the cards must be completed sequentially so that the ‘B’ column must be lit before ‘I’ and so forth. Completely filling out one or more of the bingo cards results in a selected award associated with that winning card. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bonus script is built that predetermines the number of plays made and the bonus amount received. The player then simply plays out the script until the bonus amount is one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Acres Gaming Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyd, Miles M. Patceg, Perry O. Cobb, Chris E. Hammond, Kevan L. Wilkins, Shannon L. Mason
  • Patent number: 7048630
    Abstract: A method of capturing a player's image for incorporation into a casino game that comprises a reel or a reel simulation game including an array of frames comprises using a camera to capture the image of a player at the casino game who is located within the field of view of the camera, electronically sensing the image captured by the camera, and electronically displaying at least a portion of the electronically sensed image on a first electronic display associated with the casino game such that the displayed portion of the image is utilized within the play of the casino game at which the player is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Charles R. Berg, Andrew S. Pascal
  • Patent number: 7040985
    Abstract: A casino game and method having a first display for displaying a pay table; a processor displaying on a second display a matrix comprising symbols randomly positioned in rows and columns, the matrix of symbols randomly including at least one trigger symbol; and an input for a player to select at least one symbol within the matrix. The selection by the player prompted by the inclusion of the at least one trigger symbol in the displayed matrix of symbols, wherein the processor converts to wild the selected at least one symbol within the matrix and of awarding the player in accord with the displayed pay table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 7033269
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a baseball game in an environment that is difficult to achieve in the case of game-dedicated devices and the joysticks used in such devices. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region A, a straight ball is selected as the ball type. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region C, a screwball is selected. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region D, a sinker is selected. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region E, a split-fingered ball is selected. When the mouse 22 is moved toward region G, a slider is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Namba, Tatsuya Ishikawa, Hidehisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7025654
    Abstract: A toy mobile comprising a spider having a hub drivable by a motor to rotate the spider and having at least two legs radiating from the hub at an angle thereto, each leg having an end terminal which in the course of each rotating cycle of the spider traverses a circular orbit about the hub that is slanted with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the hub, whereby the terminal in the course of each cycle rises to a level above the hub and then fall to a level below the hub and at least one geometric object dangling from the terminal which is animated as a terminal traverses the orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tiny Love Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshana Oren, Zafrira Weisman, Roni Golos
  • Patent number: 7014563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming machine candle device. Gaming machines utilize electric “candles” placed thereon to inform patrons of a machine's particular denomination. In other words, yellow signifies a quarter machine and red a nickel machine. The improved candle device described herein uses colored and transparent plastic plates in conjunction with light emitting diodes (LEDs) to more visibly and aesthetically inform patrons. A first transparent colored plate is illuminated to signify the machine's denomination. A second plate behind said first plate is used to inform gaming machine operators of concerns with said machine or player. Said second plate may also display words or logos affiliated with operators, manufacturers or the like. Frosting and beveling techniques along edges and surfaces of said plates cause LED light to refract highlighting those areas. A transparent second plate permits the color of said first plate to be viewed throughout a gaming establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Gaming Corporation of America
    Inventors: Donald C. Stephan, Albert Hanis, Warren Tripp, Kevin Furry
  • Patent number: 7014559
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display on which a plurality of display of display positions are displayed. A game controller is arranged to control images displayed on the display. The controller also controls playing of a game on the machine wherein a plurality of symbols are randomly selected and displayed on the display such that if a winning combination results, the machine pays a prize. The controller is operable, upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event, to generate a bonus symbol which is displayed in a first display position and, thereafter in at least one other display position. In predetermined circumstances, when the bonus symbol moves from a preceding display position, a residual symbol remains at the preceding display position and, when the bonus symbol appears at a subsequent display position, both the original bonus symbol and the residual bonus symbol operates as substitute symbols in their display positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin Fong