Patents Examined by Wei Lee
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Patent number: 9522329Abstract: A gaming system is provided with a monitor (3) for displaying and outputting a gaming screen (50), a touch panel (5) superposed upon the monitor (3), and an external storage device (20) for storing sequence data (28) in which operational periods of the touch panel (5) have been described. In addition, the gaming system displays on the monitor (3) a gaming area (52) whereon two reference units (55A and 55B) disposed apart from each other and a specific reference unit (55T) disposed in the vicinity of the reference units are set. Also, an object (60) for instructing operations for each of the reference units (55A, 55B, and 55T) is displayed while being caused to move in the gaming area (52), and the path of movement of a specific object (60S) heading toward the specific reference unit (55T) is restricted to a fixed path.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Shota Katagiri, Masahiro Kiyomoto, Mayumi Okuyama, Yoshitaka Nishimura
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Patent number: 9510789Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated system of measuring and assessing an individual's improvement in motion (for example, a patient's recovery) through exercise performance. In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, two approaches for monitoring movement are introduced for quantifying an individual's performance. Both approaches consider the control population as their reference and consider the difference, or what is referred to in this application as the distance, between the individual's data and the control population as the measure of performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Inventors: Roshanak Houmanfar, Michelle Elisabeth Karg, Danica Kulic
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Patent number: 9514606Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for triggering a bonus game with a wagering game machine are described. A bonus triggering module is used for adjusting a payout frequency to trigger one or more bonus games. In some embodiments, the bonus triggering module uses a player selection to trigger a bonus game. In various embodiments, occurrences of hidden events are generated to mystery trigger a bonus game. Wagering game machines according to the various embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Jeremy Hornik
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Patent number: 9495826Abstract: A gaming system displays a plurality of spaced-apart selections each associated with a masked award. One or more selectors are each associated with one or more players, and are visible to each player. The selectors are moveable amongst the spaced-apart selections based on a plurality of player inputs. For a play of the game, the players provide inputs to move the selectors amongst the spaced-apart selections. During such movement, the gaming system temporarily reveals the award associated with any spaced-apart selection in the vicinity of any selector to at least one player, such as the player whose selector is near the selection. After the play of the game has ended (e.g., based on an amount of elapsed time), the gaming system provides awards to the players based on the ending positions of the one or more selectors with respect to the plurality of spaced-apart selections.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Mark C. Nicely, Scott A. Caputo
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Patent number: 9489801Abstract: A gaming environment may provide a user with a community gaming experience by providing, via a first interface at a first gaming machine, a display of a wagering game to a first player; determining an initial game outcome for a play of the wagering game by the first player, wherein the initial game outcome is a losing game outcome; based on the losing game outcome by the first player, receiving, from a second player, a selection of an option to wager on a final game outcome, the final game outcome being based in part on the losing game outcome; displaying, via a second interface at a second gaming machine, the final game outcome to the second player; and providing an award to the second player based on the final game outcome.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: Franco E. Crivelli
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Card game system and device having supplemental awards based on consecutive non-terminating outcomes
Patent number: 9489806Abstract: A card game includes a plurality of rounds playable upon at least one base wager and at least one supplemental wager. Each one of the rounds results in an outcome, where a base award is associated with at least one of the outcomes. A pattern condition is fulfillable when a pattern of the outcomes corresponds to one of a plurality of designated patterns. Different supplemental awards are provided based on the fulfillment of the pattern condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: Mark C. Nicely -
Patent number: 9483907Abstract: A gaming machine (12) is disclosed which comprises at least one meter (76) arranged to generate game meter data. The gaming machine (12) is arranged to forward meter data generated by the at least one meter (76) to a remote data storage device (26) arranged to store meter data associated with a plurality of games. The gaming machine (12) is also arranged to retrieve meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device (27) when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. An associated gaming system and method of gaming are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITEDInventors: Jeff Himmelright, David Lawdensky, Gary Frerking, Jeffrey Topham, David Salour
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Patent number: 9474953Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless basketball shot tracking system, method and processor-readable medium that allows a basketball player to train shooting from different locations and/or with different styles as instructed by a hands-free-portable electronic device, and to track the results by a shot detector placed on the backboard or hoop. The shot detector is in wireless communication with the hands-free-portable electronic device. The electronic device stores whether shots are made or missed from the various shooting locations or styles, and provides real-time shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball shooting sessions. The electronic device interfaces with external devices via a wired or wireless communications port for uploading or downloading program updates or shooting session data.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Inventor: Jason Duke
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Patent number: 9471686Abstract: A method performed by one or more computing devices. The method uses data identifying a particular user of a plurality of users, a title, and a plurality of achievements that may be earned with respect to the title. The data identifying which of the achievements the particular user has earned. The method includes determining an achievement difficulty value for each of the achievements, determining a title interest contribution value for each of the achievements as a function of the achievement difficulty value determined for the achievement, identifying one or more of the achievements that were earned by the particular user, and determining a user interest value as a function of the title interest contribution value determined for each of the identified one or more of the achievements (earned by the particular user). The user interest value indicates a level of interest of the particular user with respect to the title.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: GROUPFABRIC INC.Inventor: Alexander Felsöbüki Nagy
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Patent number: 9472047Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are set forth to enable a player to play several, different concurrent games at a gaming device. The player selects the games to play from a game library and a processor assigns the game instances to real estate at the gaming device display. The player may record wagers to play the games. A processor determines game cycle times and choreographs play of the games' start and stop cycles to provide an appealing and serial display of game outcomes to the player.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Scott Thomas Hilbert, Bryan Kelly, Joseph Randolph Hedrick, Paulina Rogers, David Ponce, Vamsi Krishna Gandu, Yogendrasinh Hematji Rajput, Martin Lyons, Sean Christopher Martin
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Patent number: 9472056Abstract: A gaming system is provided having a display and a game controller. The system implements a game wherein random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event results, the system awards a prize. A feature game of the gaming system includes a series of prize outcomes and a series of intervening games, which provide a player with a chance of advancing to a subsequent prize outcome in the event of a winning outcome in an intervening game. A monitoring means may be provided for monitoring and indicating the number of non-winning game outcomes and triggering a penalty event in the event of the non-winning outcomes exceeding a threshold number. In another aspect, a prize outcome of a feature is a progressive prize and a progressive prize modifier for modifying the progressive prize before awarding the prize.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventors: Naomi Hall, Scott Olive
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Patent number: 9466173Abstract: A gaming system is described. The gaming system can include one or more host devices and EGM clients that communicate with one another over a network. Various non-gaming applications can be maintained on the host device. In response to a request received from an EGM client, a non-gaming application program can be executed on the host device. Content from the non-gaming application can be converted to a media stream that is sent to the EGM client for output. The media stream can be processed using a codec executed on the EGM. Input data associated with the content can be received at the EGM and sent to the host device. The content from the non-gaming application executed on the host can be adjusted in response to the input data received from the EGM.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven G. LeMay
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Patent number: 9457263Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, John Blackburn, Jeffrey Bunker, Marcus Fisher, Manfred Neber, Troy Leavitt, Robert Lowe, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Chad Liddell, Jared Bals
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Patent number: 9449454Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display arrangement for displaying a video image overlaying a game display. The video image includes special symbols for indicating a bonus-award feature having a changing state. The changing state is continually updated or modified based on outcomes of the wagering game as displayed on the game display. The gaming system further includes a controller operative to cause the bonus-award feature to provide an award to the player in response to the state of the bonus-award feature meeting certain criteria.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Jeremy M. Hornik
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Patent number: 9449526Abstract: In some implementations, one or more words from a digital work are used to generate a game to be displayed on an electronic device. For example, the electronic device may include a library of one or more digital works. A word or knowledge game may be dynamically generated based on objects, such as characters, topics, places, organizations, things, etc., identified in at least one digital work in the library. As one example, a crossword puzzle may be created to include words and clues based at least in part on the objects identified in at least one digital work and supplemental information associated with the objects. The clues for the crossword puzzle may be generated automatically based, at least in part, on a desired level of difficulty. Further, in some cases, the game may be generated from words drawn from multiple digital works in the library.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Walter Manching Tseng, Adam J. Iser, Michel L. Goldstein, Ravi Shankar Thangavel, Janna S. Hamaker, Ankur Jain
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Patent number: 9449464Abstract: A gaming system providing a falling symbol obstacle board game. The gaming system displays a symbol starting position, a plurality of symbol ending positions, and a plurality of obstacles. The gaming system selects one of a plurality of symbols, displays the symbol moving from the symbol starting position into one of the symbol ending positions along one of a plurality of symbol paths through the obstacles, and displays the symbol at the symbol ending position at the end of the symbol path. The gaming system repeats selecting symbols, displaying the symbol moving from the symbol starting position to a symbol ending positions along a symbol path, and displaying the symbol at the symbol ending position at the end of the symbol path until a termination condition is satisfied, after which the gaming system determines whether any winning combinations of the symbols are displayed at the symbol ending positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Mark C. Nicely, Jason D. Kremer, Bryan D. Wolf
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Patent number: 9443385Abstract: “Described herein are processes and devices that perform operations that, in some embodiments, include receiving a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine. The first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, and the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds associated with the first wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Timothy F. Dinovo, Magesh Gangadharan, Jacek A. Grabiec, James S. Halprin, Mark C. Pace, Jacqueline F. Parra, David M. Pryor, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9437079Abstract: A game system including a plurality of symbols, a rotor and an award amount. The plurality of symbols include at least one secondary award group of the symbols. A wager is placeable on the secondary award group. The rotor displays the symbols and a plurality of ball landings adjacent to the symbols. A plurality of the symbols are indicatable after multiple spins of the rotor. The game system is operable to provide a secondary award based on the indication of one or more symbols within the secondary award group.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: IGTInventor: Mark C. Nicely
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Patent number: 9437083Abstract: A system for computer gaming includes a processor configured to provide a first table of a first group of players grouped together to play a first hand and provide to each of the first group of players one or more cards for the first hand. The system includes an interface couple to the processor and configured to receive from a first player of the first group of players a request to fold the one or more cards of the first player. The processor is also configured to automatically move the first player to a second table of a second group of players grouped together to play a second hand.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITEDInventors: Robert S. Burnside, Jerry W. Biesel
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Patent number: 9421460Abstract: Methods systems and computer programs method for playing a game using a portable device are presented. One method includes operations for establishing a connection between a portable device and a computing system executing a game, and for receiving a task at the portable device from the computing system. Further, the portable device is disconnected from the computing system allowing the task to be performed using the portable device independently from the computing system. The method includes interaction of a user with the portable device to receive at the portable device input from the user to perform the task. Once the task is performed, the portable device reports that the task has been performed to the computing system. As a result, the game being executed in the computing system progresses after the portable device reports that the task has been performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Yunpeng Zhu, Steven Osman, Jeffrey Roger Stafford