Patents by Inventor Bryan Wolf
Bryan Wolf 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: 10692331Abstract: The gaming system of the present disclosure provides a Class II bingo game with an interim video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a single-hand video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a multi-hand video poker game.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: IGTInventors: Bryan Wolf, Kevin Kuran
-
Patent number: 10565826Abstract: The gaming system of the present disclosure provides a Class II bingo game with an interim video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a single-hand video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a multi-hand video poker game.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: IGTInventors: Bryan Wolf, Kevin Kuran
-
Patent number: 10546459Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Joseph R. Hedrick, Bryan Wolf
-
Publication number: 20190172302Abstract: The gaming system of the present disclosure provides a Class II bingo game with an interim video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a single-hand video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a multi-hand video poker game.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Bryan Wolf, Kevin Kuran
-
Publication number: 20190172301Abstract: The gaming system of the present disclosure provides a Class II bingo game with an interim video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a single-hand video poker game. In various embodiments, the interim video poker game is a multi-hand video poker game.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Bryan Wolf, Kevin Kuran
-
Patent number: 10002494Abstract: Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: IGTInventors: Ali Saffari, Bryan Wolf, Diane Wanex, Richard E. Michaelson
-
Publication number: 20170024968Abstract: Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Ali Saffari, Bryan Wolf, Diane Wanex, Richard E. Michaelson
-
Patent number: 9317990Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for providing wagering games. A player pays an initial price to play a wagering game according to normal game rules. Game information that would normally be concealed from the player is offered for an additional price. In some implementations, the wagering game is a poker game and the game information is draw card information. The additional price may increase according to the amount of game information provided. In some implementations, a paytable percentage for the wagering game decreases according to the amount of game information provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: IGTInventors: Ted Gail, Bryan Wolf, Larry Hollibaugh
-
Patent number: 8991835Abstract: Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. Tensile towing forces applied to a strap are distributed to avoid tearing the sled body.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: ARC Products, LLCInventors: Bryan A. Wolf, Clifford G. Adkins
-
Patent number: 8764540Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for providing wagering games having aspects of card games, such as poker games. Some implementations of the present invention involve methods and devices for providing such wagering games on a network of gaming machines. In some implementations, players can view a first M playing cards from each of N hands of playing cards, then must select one (or more) of the hands. Thereafter, a playing card hand (e.g., a poker hand) is made up for the selected hand from the N cards and from additional cards that are revealed after the hand is selected. Some implementations provide a bingo game in which areas of each bingo card correspond with playing cards, wherein players may establish interim wins that correspond to poker hands. Some such implementations include displaying N bingo cards, each of which corresponds to one of the N hands of playing cards.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Larry Hollibaugh, Ted Gail, Bryan Wolf
-
Publication number: 20140162792Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Joseph R. Hedrick, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8657679Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that can play both Class II and Class III games. Some implementations provide a gaming machine that has certain features (e.g., a true random number generator or “RNG”) enabled for Class III play and disabled for Class II play. Some aspects of the invention provide methods for determining when a Class III game is available. Other aspects of the invention allow a player to “line up” for a desired Class III game while playing another game, such as a Class II game or another Class III game, on the same gaming machine until the desired Class III game is available. Some such implementations grant higher priority to certain players according to their gaming history, e.g., as indicated by player tracking/player loyalty data. Alternative aspects of the invention allocate available Class III games in other ways, e.g., by playing a Class II game for a chance to play a Class III game, by lottery, or otherwise.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, James Stockdale, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8651956Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Joseph R. Hedrick, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8562415Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for providing a first wagering game (such as a bingo game) that presents a changing pool of displayed game outcomes for a second wagering game (such as a Class III game), preferably on a network of gaming machines. Some implementations of the invention provide a bingo game that presents a changing pool of displayed game outcomes for a slot game or a poker game. In some preferred implementations, game outcomes are generated, e.g., by individual gaming machines, on an ongoing basis and stored in memory. Each of the game outcomes corresponds with a bingo outcome. Preferably, the game outcomes are sorted and stored according to payout amounts for various bingo outcomes. In some implementations, the game outcomes are stored in the form of random number generating (“RNG”) seeds, but in other implementations the game outcomes are stored in a variety of other forms.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Ted Gail, Mark Bansemer, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8475257Abstract: Novel methods, devices and systems are described for mapping a variety of Class III game outcomes to a common set of bingo patterns. Each game theme may have a different entertaining display, based upon a corresponding Class III game. Preferably, each game theme will offer game play and paytable percentages closely matching those of the original Class III game. Some implementations provide a system wherein electronic gaming machines presenting entertaining displays of various Class III game themes are linked to a single bingo server. By linking many participating electronic gaming machines to a single server, some implementations of the invention allow all of the progressive contributions to be pooled into one large progressive jackpot, thereby making the game more attractive to players.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Lesley Bienvenue, Bryan Wolf, Ted Gail, Tracy Powell, Justin Krum
-
Patent number: 8419542Abstract: The present invention provides a novel bonusing system implemented on gaming machines and associated network devices on a network. According to some implementations, a central system qualifies or eliminates sites and/or types of gaming devices for participation based on criteria such as contribution level, games available, date range, location, device manufacturer, denominations available, etc. In some implementations, the qualification or elimination process is performed at a site (e.g., by a site controller) according to criteria obtained from the central system. The methods of the present invention may be de-coupled from player tracking methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Ali Saffari, Chris Reddicks, Mark Bansemer, Anisur Chowdhury, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8376843Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that can play both Class II and Class III games. Some implementations provide a gaming machine that has certain features (e.g., a true random number generator or “RNG”) enabled for Class III play and disabled for Class II play. Some aspects of the invention provide methods for determining when a Class III game is available. Other aspects of the invention allow a player to “line up” for a desired Class III game while playing another game, such as a Class II game or another Class III game, on the same gaming machine until the desired Class III game is available.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh Nguyen, James Stockdale, Bryan Wolf
-
Patent number: 8333392Abstract: Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. For rescue sleds, a strong strap is passed through slots around the periphery. This distributes forces in ways that avoid tearing, and it provides secure handholds, allowing people to lift and carry an injured person in a manner comparable to a backboard. A rescue sled including straps weighs only about 6 pounds, and can be carried on foot for miles, affixed to a backpack, making these sleds available immediately when needed.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Inventors: Bryan A. Wolf, Clifford T. Adkins
-
Patent number: 8287354Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for providing a bingo game having aspects of a poker game on a network of gaming machines. Some implementations include a bingo card display in which areas of a bingo card correspond with playing cards. Some such implementations provide first phase of a bingo game that is concluded when a player daubs a game-ending pattern of a bingo card and a second phase wherein players may establish interim wins by daubing other patterns that correspond to poker hands. In some implementations, only the highest-ranking interim win results in a payout. Preferred implementations provide games with easily recognizable bingo play and payout probabilities similar to existing bingo games.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Ted Gail, Larry Hollibaugh, Bryan Wolf
-
Publication number: 20120165092Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: IGTInventors: Ali SAFFARI, Bryan WOLF, Richard E. MICHAELSON