Patents by Inventor Aaron Hightower

Aaron Hightower has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10169957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring objects from a first player to a second player within a gaming system are described herein. The method includes receiving, via a first touchscreen of the first gaming machine, a selection of an object by the first player. The method further includes receiving, via the first touchscreen, gesture information relating to the object. The method includes analyzing, by a controller of the gaming system, the gesture information. The method further includes determining, by the controller, that the object is to be transferred from the first player to the second player based at least in part on the gesture information. The method includes transferring, by the controller, the object from the first gaming machine to the second gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Aaron Hightower, William McMaster, Gregory H. Parrott, Alex Popovich
  • Patent number: 9707480
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20160325178
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 9339732
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20150301742
    Abstract: Interactive computer graphics processing systems, and more particularly to the processing and coordinating of input systems and physics simulation engines with graphical display on video game systems with a gambling component that combines high-frequency physics simulation for gameplay with a high-frequency, low-latency input system in order to create a more realistic and immersive video game and/or virtual experience. The interactive computer graphics processing system comprises a user input system, a physics simulation system, a display system, and a software rendering system that are all in synchronous, multi-threaded operation when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron Hightower, Stephen Riesenberger
  • Publication number: 20150294535
    Abstract: A system and method of gambling that gives a player a skill-based challenge for an opportunity to gain a mathematical advantage in a game of chance. The method comprises providing a combination game of skill and a game of chance, where the game of chance is resolved after the game of skill and the game of skill provides an opportunity to attain a mathematical advantage in the game of chance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron Hightower, Stephen Riesenberger
  • Publication number: 20150251088
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20150228146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring objects from a first player to a second player within a gaming system are described herein. The method includes receiving, via a first touchscreen of the first gaming machine, a selection of an object by the first player. The method further includes receiving, via the first touchscreen, gesture information relating to the object. The method includes analyzing, by a controller of the gaming system, the gesture information. The method further includes determining, by the controller, that the object is to be transferred from the first player to the second player based at least in part on the gesture information. The method includes transferring, by the controller, the object from the first gaming machine to the second gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron Hightower, William McMaster, Gregory H. Parrott, Alex Popovich
  • Patent number: 8992318
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 8764531
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20140087867
    Abstract: A wearable display device, system and method are described. The display system includes a wearable display to be worn by a person; a display buffer to receive display data from a graphics engine, which data includes data regarding position of a wearer in a virtual environment; a display processor unit to process vision direction data using the display data from the graphics engine, wherein the display processor unit sends the display data to the wearable display. In an example, the display system is a component to a gaming system or environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20120122569
    Abstract: A reconfigurable game machine consists of an electronic game machine supported by an adjustable frame. A control system is configured to automatically adjust the elevation of a main display of the electronic game machine from a first elevation associated with a first angle associated with a first game to a second elevation associated with a second angle associated with a second game. The control system may automatically adjust a respective position of the user interface panel. The electronic game machine may be configured to offer a game selected from any of a plurality of games, and the control system is configured to automatically position the adjustable frame so as to support the main display at an angle and an elevation appropriate to the selected game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert G. Kowolik, James W. Stockdale, Alexander Popovich, Aaron Hightower, William McMaster
  • Publication number: 20120122557
    Abstract: A card reader may be configured for reading a bar code on a card, regardless of whether the bar code is on a first side of the card or a second side of the card. The card reader may be implemented in a wager gaming machine or in another context. If a card has a bar code printed on the first side and decorative material printed on the second side, the card reader may be configured to read the bar code regardless of the card's orientation. The bar code may be a two-dimensional bar code. A controller of the card reader may be configured for determining whether the bar code contains player tracking account information and/or other information regarding a person associated with the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Robert G. Kowolik, James W. Stockdale, Aaron Hightower, Alexander Popovich, William McMaster
  • Publication number: 20100113115
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040267386
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 6755654
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Midway Games West
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Publication number: 20030054869
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower
  • Patent number: 6488505
    Abstract: A system and method for computerized competition useful for rewarding a player. The system and method may be utilized in arcade games, personal computer games, dedicated video games, networked games, and simulators. The method may include selecting a target reward level or threshold such as by selecting a score from a list of past scores, and dynamically adjusting the reward level according to the ability of the players of the system. The method may further include adjusting the playback of a previous competition sequence according to the adjusted reward level. In one embodiment, a previous vehicle race sequence is stored and played back as a ghost or phantom vehicle simultaneously with a present vehicle of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Midway Games West Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Hightower