Patents by Inventor Allon G. Englman

Allon G. Englman 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: 8979625
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes associating, by at least one of one or more processors, sets of one or more individual preferences with respective players at the respective gaming terminals. The method further include determining by at least one of the one or more processors, based on the sets of individual preferences, a set of one or more community preferences that govern the community event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Daniel P. Louie, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8961288
    Abstract: Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting a request to present a wagering game via a browser application and providing wagering game content for the wagering game, wherein a wagering game toolbar of the browser application is configured to present the wagering game content. In some examples, the operations further include providing a wagering game result for the wagering game, wherein the wagering game toolbar is configured to present the wagering game result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Brian J. Barclay, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Brian D. Manning, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8939841
    Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment over existing wagering games. The method and system involve a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank controller. Each wagering game terminal allows players to play a basic wagering game that is independent of other wagering game terminals. The wagering game terminals also allow players to play a bonus game where players take turns playing to win a portion of a jackpot. The portion awarded to each player may be the actual amount won by that player, or it may be a percentage of the entire jackpot based on the actual amount won by the player relative to other players. In one implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Mark Gagner, Michael W. Mastropietro, Paul McInerny, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20150011295
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager for playing the wagering game, and trigger a free-spin event in which a plurality of free spins is awarded. For a first spin, a first number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. For a second spin, a second number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. The second number of arrays is non-equal to the first number of arrays. Any awards associated with each determined award condition are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Allon G. Englman, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smtih
  • Publication number: 20150011307
    Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Benjamin T. Gomez, Michael W. Mastropietro, Bradley A. Rose
  • Publication number: 20140315629
    Abstract: Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include accessing a user account responsive to communication with a plug-in of a web browser. In some examples, the operations further include providing gaming information associated with the user account. The plug-in is configured to present the gaming information in a graphical-user-interface object of the web browser. The graphical-user-interface object is separate from a main display area of the web browser. In some examples, the operations further include, based on user interaction with the graphical-user-interface object, providing content that is related to the gaming information for presentation via the main display area of the web browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Brian J. Barclay, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Brian D. Manning, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140315630
    Abstract: Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting, via use of a gaming plug-in, that first content is presented in a main display area of a web browser. The operations can further include, after detecting that the first content is presented, detecting that second content was previously presented via the main display area of the web browser. In some examples, the second content is associated with gaming content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Brian J. Barclay, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Brian D. Manning, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8864571
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager for playing the wagering game, and trigger a free-spin event in which a plurality of free spins is awarded. For a first spin, a first number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. For a second spin, a second number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. The second number of arrays is non-equal to the first number of arrays. Any awards associated with each determined award condition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Allon G. Englman, Daniel P. Louie, Pamela S. Smtih
  • Patent number: 8851982
    Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Benjamin T. Gomez, Michael W. Mastropietro, Bradley A. Rose
  • Patent number: 8845417
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Travis N. Nelson, James Palermo, Richard B. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20140274282
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play a wagering game with symbol-bearing reels, each of which has distinct reel positions populated by various symbols, at least one reel bearing a symbol clump; and, display via a display device a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game. Each wagering-game outcome includes predetermined symbols occupying distinct array positions in a displayed array. Each reel position has a weighted probability of occupying an array position in the array. The weighted probabilities are configured such that the symbol clump, when part of a wagering-game outcome, can only land in its entirety in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Mastropietro, Allon G. Englman
  • Publication number: 20140274286
    Abstract: A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager and in response thereto a basic game is conducted. The basic game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. In response to an offer trigger, an offer is displayed to conduct one or more subsequent plays of the basic game at a reduced maximum bet wager having a wager amount that is less than a normal maximum bet wager amount. A second input is received indicative of an acceptance of the offer for a reduced maximum bet wager. A randomly selected outcome is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each include a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. If the randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination, an award is provided for any winning outcome. The provided award is determined as though a normal maximum bet wager amount was received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Allon G. Englman, Andrew C. Guinn, Daniel P. Louie, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeremie D. Moll
  • Publication number: 20140256413
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8821265
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Robert L. Kyte, Michael W. Mastropietro
  • Patent number: 8814657
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20140228098
    Abstract: A multi-mode gaming terminal comprising, a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game. And at least one controller operative to: (i) detect a selection between a cash mode of operation and a tournament mode of operation; (ii) if the cash mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game configured with a first payback return; (iii) if the tournament mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game in a tournament mode configured with a second payback return and a tournament return, wherein on each tournament eligible play of the primary wagering game resulting in a winning outcome, a predetermined number of tournament points are awarded and added to a tournament entry; and (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, entering the tournament entry into at least one tournament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Michael W. Mastropietro, Dylan B. Selegue
  • Publication number: 20140206430
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik
  • Patent number: 8784194
    Abstract: A gaming system for playing a progressive wagering game includes a progressive award having a default value, which is determined based on wagers received from a plurality of players. A bonus eligibility time period is enabled, in accordance with at least one of a wager size and a player speed of play, during which an award modifier is available to at least one of the players. Based on the award modifier, the default value is changed to a modified value that is displayed in response to the award modifier being available to the player. In response to the award modifier becoming unavailable, the default value of the progressive award is displayed. The progressive award is awarded in response to achieving a winning outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Joel R. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8771082
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8747205
    Abstract: A gaming machine and a method of conducting a game of chance on the gaming machine are disclosed. The machine receives a wager from a player to purchase a series of plays of the game. In response to the wager, the machine provides the player with the series of plays and randomly generating at least one outcome for each play. The machine provides an accumulation feature that accumulates an element of the game over a plurality of the plays in the series and redeems the accumulated element for a bonus in response to a predetermined event in the game. The predetermined event may, for example, correspond to collection of a predetermined number of the element or a certain position of the element on a trail, feature ladder, or meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Allon G. Englman