Patents Examined by Scott Jones
  • Patent number: 7291070
    Abstract: A game of chance includes steps of accepting at least one of a wager and a selection of a predicted outcome of a competitive activity; randomly selecting an actual outcome of the competitive activity according to predetermined odds; accessing one of a plurality of video sequence that shows the randomly selected actual outcome of the competitive activity, and showing the accessed one of the plurality of video sequence on a display. A step may be carried out to pay a sum determined by the wager and the predetermined odds when the predicted outcome matches the randomly selected actual outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cyberview Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Gatto, Pierre-Jean Beney
  • Patent number: 7291065
    Abstract: A diffusive game, comprising: a diffusive space having a plurality of regions; a plurality of variables for being put into the regions and producing actions in the regions. Each variable has an internal value, so that it has its own mode according to the internal value. A diffusive data processing unit performs a relational operation on the internal value of the variable in the diffusive space and the regions, and also produces diffusive operations. The method sets a region in the diffusive space as the triggering region and a specific action on a variable as the triggering action. When a player drives the variable to produce a triggering action, a diffusive data processing unit bases on the triggering region as the starting point to diffuse and transmit to each adjacent region according to the diffusive direction, and complete the diffusive and relational operation of the variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chiou-Haun Lee
  • Patent number: 7278919
    Abstract: A gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device including interrelating bonus games in a bonus round by providing outcomes which transfer the player to one of the other interrelated bonus games. Each bonus game includes a different set of outcomes depending on what order the bonus game is selected by the gaming device or the player. Once an initial bonus game is selected, the player is presented with a plurality of selections which can include awards, award digits, modifiers, terminators, and other outcomes in addition to transfers to other bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Roman A. Souza, Randall D. Mead, William E. Vorias
  • Patent number: 7264555
    Abstract: A diagnostic golf club system having a diagnostic golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The diagnostic golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, and a non-volatile memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the diagnostic golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to determine a shaft flex profile for a particular golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Nathan J. Lee, Aaron Lindsau, Jan N. Houshar, Nigel Simmons, Peter Matthewson, Ian Ansell
  • Patent number: 7264547
    Abstract: There are disclosed a game apparatus, game image preparation method and information storage medium that when a player character moves in a three-dimensional game space, sets a plurality of viewpoints in the field of view in which this character is included and prepares a plurality of two-dimensional images with different contents corresponding to their respective viewpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 7258609
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical display and indication for gaming devices. The display includes a set of symbols or indicia. The displays also cooperate with a plurality of radially spaced apart translating indicators, such as arrows. The indicators translate radially and sequentially, each pointing at one point towards a respective, associated symbol. The player can see each symbol and thus is able to know which symbols are relatively better than others. The radially translating indicators provide a random, visual element to the outcome, wherein the player watches the indicators sequentially point to different symbols until the motion stops, leaving a single or multiple indicated symbol(s), which is(are) provided in some fashion to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dennis Nordman, Bradley A. Hemerick, Daniel J. Waller, Russell Chudd
  • Patent number: 7252590
    Abstract: A processor controlled gaming device having a display device in communication with the processor. When the display device receives an input from the player, gaming device randomly generates an outcome, the display device displays an event having the outcome and the gaming device provides the player with a payout in association with the outcome and the selected input. The inputs have paytables that vary in range. One input has a large, risky payout range with big and small payouts. One input has a small, conservative payout range with intermediate payouts. Other inputs have ranges that fall in between the risky and conservative ranges. Each of the ranges has the same overall expected value, so that the gaming device does not favor the player's choice of a risky or conservative input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Gregg J. Palmer, Lance R. Peterson, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7252592
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes symbols having a transformation probability. The gaming device in one embodiment includes an activator symbol. When the activator symbol is displayed, a processor of the gaming device determines the transformation probability of each of the displayed symbols and randomly determines which, if any, symbols are to be transformed into wild symbols or other functional symbols based on the transformation probability of the symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Rodgers, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Shawn Van Asdale
  • Patent number: 7250001
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a gaming device having a separately changeable value and multiplier bonus scheme. The bonus scheme begins when a triggering event occurs during normal operation of the gaming device. Initially, the game displays a value and a multiplier to the player, which form an offer. The game enables the player to keep the offer or change either the value or the multiplier. If the player changes either, the game changes the value or multiplier selected by the player, and yields a new offer. In the preferred embodiment of the bonus scheme, the player can keep the new offer or change the value or multiplier and obtain a final new offer. After the player can no longer change the value or multiplier or if at any time the player keeps an offer, the bonus scheme ends by adding the amount of the offer to the player's gaming device credit, and the player resumes normal play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Peter Gerrard
  • Patent number: 7247096
    Abstract: During play of a casino game, in response to a wager, a hidden bonus feature unknown to the player occurs to interrupt game play. The occurrence of the hidden bonus feature may be at a random statistical frequency or other event. When the player inputs a correct response to the hidden bonus feature during casino game play, the player receives an additional award. If a correct response is not received or if the hidden bonus feature is ignored, the player does not receive any further award. The hidden bonus feature does not affect the outcome of the play of the casino game. After the feature ends, casino game play resumes to a game outcome in response to the wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Progressive Gaming International Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 7244181
    Abstract: A solution for network latency inherent in a multiplayer online game involving more than two players. The solution is a dynamic re-sequencing and synchronization mechanism that enables seamless and simultaneous participation by remote users, such that an event can have an immediate and consequential effect on a related event without the unwanted effects resulting from network latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Netamin Communication Corp.
    Inventors: Andy Wang, Gabriel Law
  • Patent number: 7235013
    Abstract: In a game machine, platen dots are provided on a traveling field. A plurality of self-propelled members are provided on the traveling field. Each self-propelled member includes a first linear motor and a second linear motor for respectively propelling the self-propelled member in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other. A miniature member is coupled with a motor so as to be rotatably supported on each self-propelled member. A controller controls the motor such that a rotated angle of the miniature member is determined in accordance with a propelling direction of the self-propelled member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7232127
    Abstract: A reel device for a gaming machine comprising a chassis configured to support the reel device and a reel structure attached to the chassis. The reel structure has a hub, a frame, and a spoke attached to the hub and the frame. The frame preferably defines the periphery of the reel structure. The periphery of the reel structure preferably has media adapted to display a symbol to a game player. The reel may further have a board attached to the chassis and a plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned on the board, wherein the plurality of light-emitting diodes is adapted to transmit light to at least a portion of the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald C. Seelig, Lawrence M. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 7229350
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a plurality of sets and associated sets. The gaming device enables the player to select a set. The player can accept an award associated with the selected set or instead select another set which may or may not include a value in the selected set. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7229354
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an interactive wagering application that restricts wagering access. The restrictions may be based on user-defined restrictions on the location of the user equipment or any other suitable criterion. The interactive wagering application may compare blackout information and user equipment location information. When blackout information and location information match, wagering access may be restricted. An interactive wagering system may verify that the user equipment is in a location where wagering is permitted. If verified, the user equipment may be granted a location verification token. The location verification token may indicate to the interactive wagering application that the user may be provided with wagering access. User-defined wagering restrictions may also be used to restrict wagering access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: ODS Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. McNutt, Connie T. Marshall, Masood Garahi, Douglas V. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 7229349
    Abstract: A multi-player game system includes number-of-players detection means for detecting the number of players participating in the game; primary game field data storage means for storing primary game field data; secondary game field data storage means for storing at least two units of secondary game field data 150, such that each unit of secondary game field data is associated with a different number of participating players; secondary game field data selection means for selecting, in accordance with the number of participating players as detected by the number-of-players detection means, one of the at least two units of secondary game field data from the secondary game field data storage means; game field generation means for combining the primary game field data with the secondary game field data to generate a game field. A plurality of players are allowed to play a game on the generated game field. Thus, in a multi-player game, it is possible to vary data concerning the game field, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7226359
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a player's award in a game wherein one symbol of the gaming device changes into another. In one embodiment, all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof, including winning combinations produced by a wild symbol are provided to the player. In a second step, the game awards all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof produced after the wild symbol has changed one or more non-wild symbols to a wild symbol. This step includes awarding the player for combinations previously awarded in the first step, which may or may not have been the result of the wild symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William J. Bussick, Paulina Glavich, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7220187
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for computing and outputting a putting backstroke instruction for a planned putt of a golf ball during recreational play. A computing means includes means for initializing or customizing according to a specific golfer putting on a specific golf green, the golfer putting at least one initializing putt a pre-selected distance on a level area of a green. During recreational play thereafter, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the golfer, for each segment of a planned putt enters the applicable grade and length. The computing means outputs to the golfer an instruction for the length of the backstroke recommended, i.e., required for the planned putt. Another embodiment of the invention requires the inputting of the length of the planned putt but excludes the inputting of the grade of the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventors: Gary E. Schmidt, Philip A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7220181
    Abstract: During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Further, the openings 5b, 6b and 7b are formed corresponding to the rows of the variable displays of the symbols. Accordingly, by means of the light guiding plates 39g also located between the opening 5b and the opening 6b, and between the opening 6b and the opening 7b, the light from the cold-cathode tubes 40a is guided toward the liquid crystal panel 39d. Consequently by means of the liquid crystal panel 39d in areas between the respective display windows 5-7, light luminance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Aruze Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7214133
    Abstract: A recorded race is downloaded from an online gaming service. The recorded race is associated with a game program. The game program is launched on a game console. The recorded race is applied to the game program executing on the game console such that the recorded race controls a first vehicle moving through a course. Control inputs are received from an input device coupled to the game console. The control inputs control a second vehicle moving through the course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James Jen, Chris Novak, Martyn Chudley, David Worswick