Patents Examined by Justin Myhr
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Patent number: 9636574Abstract: A gaming keyboard and related methods are disclosed that provide features to enhance the computer gaming experience. A keyboard connection pod is disclosed that improves power capabilities of the keyboard thereby allowing for enhanced features that require more power. A panic mechanism is disclosed that can be triggered to cause one or more selected keys to change states. Keycap rim-lighting is disclosed that provides improved visual indication of key positions. A hand registration enhancement is disclosed including a spacebar having a thumb notch and/or WASD and spacebar keys with different tactile response than other keys. Function keys are disclosed that are positioned proximate to allow reduced movement of the left hand. An integrated cord wrap tray is disclosed for a peripheral such as a mouse. Other features and variations are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark A. Casparian, Gabriel Gonzalez, Frank C. Azor, Reginald I. Rego, David Estrada, Jacqueline F. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 9640021Abstract: Systems and methods include a wagering game machine having a three-dimensional monitor. Certain events are 3D transition events that cause certain graphical elements presented by the wagering game to be rendered as real 3D objects using the three-dimensional monitor.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Marwan Ansari
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Patent number: 9640027Abstract: Intelligent gaming tables and methods of providing game play through the gaming tables are described herein. The gaming table includes a table having a table surface, a plurality of player stations, and a common display configured to display gaming content to a plurality of players. The gaming table further includes an interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user input devices. The gaming table includes a gaming controller. The gaming controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of user input devices through the interface, receive location information relating to touches or contacts detected on the table surface, analyze the information relating to the touches or contacts, identify a user performing each of the touches or contacts with the table surface, and implement player input instructions contained within the information relating to the touches or contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Richard E. Rowe, Mark C. Nicely, Bryan D. Wolf, Brian Underdahl
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Patent number: 9630100Abstract: A gaming system for enabling three-dimensional game play of remote-control craft controlled by a controller, each craft including a communication system with both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) capabilities. The system can include a plurality of hovering remote-control flying craft each controlled by a handheld controller, and further may include at least one additional game accessory elements, such as a puck, a ground station or a gun. Each pairing of craft and controllers communicate via an RF protocol that transmits at least control communications between the controller and the craft based on pair identification information in an RF communication protocol. The craft and game-accessory elements also communicate via at least an IR protocol that communicates game-play information. Selectable pairs of craft and controllers may be assigned to different teams for playing multiplayer team games based on team identification information in the RF communication protocol.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: QFO Labs, Inc.Inventors: John Paul Condon, James Edward Fairman, Bradley Dean Pedersen
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Patent number: 9633517Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine employing a free game system which provides an enhanced game element. The gaming machine determines the number of adding free game based on a game number lottery table under the condition that a first symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game, and adds a preset number of free game under the condition that a second symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Hiromoto Yamauchi, Masumi Fujisawa
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Patent number: 9616288Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device which detects repetitive movement of a user's body part. The device has a sensor which detects G forces along at least two axes when the user repeatedly moves the body part; a memory, which stores reference data corresponding to ideal reference data; a processor/computing unit, which communicates with the sensor and the memory, and receives data associated with the G forces. The processing/computing unit compares the ideal reference data with the data associated with the detected G forces. A feedback component is connected to the processor/computing unit to provide the user with a signal when a target has been achieved. Also disclosed is a method of computing data received by the device and an exerciser device that simulates the movement of a hula hoop.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: NEWHULA.COMInventors: Nelson Greenberg, Neil Trevick
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Patent number: 9613494Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides and tracks bonus event eligibility points accumulated by players playing the gaming devices in the gaming system. Upon a triggering of a bonus event, the gaming system generates, for each bonus event eligibility point accumulated for each player, a random number from a predefined range of numbers. The gaming system determines which one of the accumulated bonus event eligibility points is the designated bonus event eligibility point, such as by determining which bonus event eligibility point is associated with the highest valued random number generated. The gaming system then enables the player that accumulated the designated bonus event eligibility point to participate in the bonus event. In the bonus event, one or more awards are provided to the player that accumulated the designated bonus event eligibility point.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Bryan D. Wolf, Ryan W. Cuddy, Eric D. Satterlie
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Patent number: 9600980Abstract: An electronic gaming machine comprises a display for displaying game symbols for playing a first game of chance, and an electronic game controller for controlling the display of the game symbols on the display. In response to a trigger event in the first game, a second game of chance is displayed, where the appearance of one or more special symbols causes the award of one or more tokens associated with one or more token values. At the end of the second game, an accumulated token value is determined and if it is equal to a predetermined number, a plurality of third games of chance is displayed and is selectable by the player. The third games displayed depend on the accumulated token value. A gaming method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Ainsworth Game Technology LimitedInventors: Peter Scott Clarebrough, Sujay Prabhu
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Patent number: 9600971Abstract: A wagering apparatus enables play of that game on an underlying electronic gaming apparatus. The apparatus includes: a) a first player position and input controls at the first player position; b) the processor is in communication with the first player input controls; c) a first player seat at each first player position; d) a second player input control associated with the player seat more distal from the gaming apparatus than the first player seat; e) the second player input control in communication with the processor and having second player input controls that enable wagering on any wagering game on the gaming apparatus; and f) the processor configured to accept wagers from both the first player input controls and the second player input controls and to resolve wagers from the first player input controls and the second player input controls based upon game outcomes on the gaming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: INTERBLOCK D.D.Inventor: Joze Pececnik
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Patent number: 9573032Abstract: In one example, a system for fitting golf equipment for an individual can be configured to be used with an electronic device comprising a fitting processor module and a camera. The system can comprise an image analysis module configured to receive image data of at least a portion of the individual and one or more physical indicia proximate to the individual, where the image data can be captured by the camera. The image analysis module can also be configured to recognize one or more reference features of the individual from the image data, and to calculate one or more fitting dimensions between the one or more reference features in the image data. Other examples, devices, and related methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONInventors: John K. Solheim, Roger J. Cottam
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Patent number: 9542808Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electromechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: IGTInventors: Daniel Marks, Anthony Singer, Howard Marks
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Patent number: 9530283Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANYInventor: John F. Acres
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Patent number: 9520018Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations which can include analyzing electronic information associated with a first gaming effect and a second gaming effect provided for concurrent presentation via an output device, determining that the first gaming effect has a higher priority than the second gaming effect, and causing the first gaming effect to be presented via the output device before the second gaming effect is presented based on the higher priority. The operations can further include preventing, without user input, presentation of a first portion of the second amine effect via the output device while the first gaming effect is presented. The operations can further include electronically determining that a second portion of the second gaming effect is available for presentation after an ending point for the first gaming effect, and causing the second portion to be presented via the output device after the first gaming effect.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
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Patent number: 9517397Abstract: A player training apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: receive input pertaining to motion of the football; derive at least one football motion parameter from the input pertaining to the motion of the football; and display information relating to the input. The at least one football motion parameter includes spiral efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, Kevin L. Krysiak, David J. Proeber, Bradley L. Gaff
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Patent number: 9514604Abstract: A system and method for playing a multiple iteration, goal-oriented game with wagering involved at each iteration, such as in a golf wagering application. The system and method comprises providing a computer application to connect multiple users in a network to play through bet sequences and play sequences during multiple iterations of play such as each golf hole, wherein in each play sequence each user moves closer to the goal such as taking the lowest number of virtual strokes on a virtual golf hole. Players may win by reaching the goal before other players, or by causing opponents to drop out of a game during betting sequences.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: INOV8 GOLF, INC.Inventor: John M. Cioe
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Patent number: 9492724Abstract: A player training apparatus for use with a portable performance system. The portable performance system includes a processor, a memory and a display. The training apparatus includes an American-style football, at least one sensor coupled to the football, at least one transmitter coupled to the football and operably coupled to the sensor, and a non-transient computer-readable medium containing code. The code directs the processor to: receive input pertaining to motion of the football; determine a target accuracy based upon the input; and display the determined target accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, Kevin L. Krysiak, David J. Proeber, Bradley L. Gaff
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Patent number: 9492708Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for measuring or analyzing a golf swing. Measurement or analysis is made relative to energy generation and transfer through a player's body and club. The measurement or analysis data is principally obtained from the player's ground-reaction forces. Processed signals are analyzed with an artificial intelligence system. Ground-reaction forces relate to reaction forces which occur between a standing surface and the player's feet. The apparatus and method measures or analyses a golf swing in an automatic manner or in an automatic and interactive manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Inventor: Brian Francis Mooney
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Patent number: 9492756Abstract: A system and method for improving musical education through use of a game, is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving electrical signals associated with a musical piece provided by a user of the game; converting the electrical signals into digital samples; and analyzing the digital samples with use of auxiliary information, for purposes of improving signal analysis accuracy, resulting in determining various parameters of the musical piece provided by the user, wherein the auxiliary information is a-priori data related to at least one element selected from the group consisting of a musical instrument being played, a technical environment, the game, and information regarding the user of the game. Visual and/or audio feedback may also be provided to the user regarding the musical piece that they are providing.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Joytunes Ltd.Inventors: Roey Izkovsky, Yuval Kaminka, Yigal Kaminka
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Patent number: 9480908Abstract: A system is described for a computer-based word-guessing game that can be used to elicit market-research data, specifically sentiment and awareness data. The two-person game involves a clue giver and a guesser, each playing on their own mobile device. The clue giver sends clues to induce the guesser to guess a given target word or phrase before a countdown clock runs out. The clues used and the guesses made can be analyzed to reveal the opinions and knowledge that the players have about products, brands, and people. The game features a novel mechanic in which the clue words are categorized according to how obvious they are. Using more-obvious clues causes the countdown clock to decrement faster, thereby making the game play more strategic and entertaining, while also incentivizing the clue giver to use less-obvious, sentiment-oriented words that are more useful for market-research purposes.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: UPFRONT ANALYTICS INC.Inventors: Amber Raschel Aurora Brown, Joseph William Marks
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Patent number: 9480924Abstract: A rules-based system which processes user selections to determine what content is actually loaded and used for a given object model in video games or other online or interactive digital environments. The disclosed rules-based system also allows for rules exceptions, which support the prioritization of the user's most recent selections over the rules.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Disney Enterprise, Inc.Inventor: David Haslam