Patents by Inventor Dale R. Buchholz
Dale R. Buchholz 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).
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Patent number: 8834254Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, wirelessly, an identifier associated with a portable wireless device. In some embodiments, the identifier is assigned to a wagering game player account. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the wagering game player account, via a wagering game machine, in response to detecting the identifier. The operations can further include detecting, wirelessly, a use of the portable wireless device in response to player input via the portable wireless device and, based on the use of the portable wireless device, authorizing initiation of the wagering game session and/or performing one or more activities via a wagering game application during the wagering game session.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
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Publication number: 20140206441Abstract: “A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include obtaining data provided from a first application. In some examples, the first application is a wagering game application presented on a wagering game machine. The operations can also include determining a subscription level associated with a second application. The subscription level indicates access to the data from the first application. Further, the operations can also include, providing a service to the second application. In some examples, the service is one of a plurality of tiers of services that correspond to the subscription level. In some examples, the service has one of a plurality of degrees of access to the data from the first application according to the subscription level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 8771066Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from content sources that are accessible to a wagering game machine and determining presentation requirements for the content. The operations can further include determining a presentation template that the wagering game machine can use to present the content according the presentation requirements. The presentation template can have pre-configured presentation areas, one of which can be configured to present the content according to pre-defined configuration settings. The operations can further include determining that one pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template content can present the content in accordance with the presentation requirements, and presenting the content in pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Patent number: 8715073Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the multiple applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Publication number: 20140106865Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: WMS 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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Publication number: 20130252714Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, wirelessly, an identifier associated with a portable wireless device. In some embodiments, the identifier is assigned to a wagering game player account. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the wagering game player account, via a wagering game machine, in response to detecting the identifier. The operations can further include detecting, wirelessly, a use of the portable wireless device in response to player input via the portable wireless device and, based on the use of the portable wireless device, authorizing initiation of the wagering game session and/or performing one or more activities via a wagering game application during the wagering game session.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
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Publication number: 20130244761Abstract: In some embodiments, a method including determining a first wagering game content and a second wagering game content, wherein the first wagering game content is related to a first wagering game, and wherein the second wagering game content is related to a second wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on priority rules, a first display priority for the first wagering game content, and a second display priority for the second wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the first display priority, the first wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the second display priority, the second wagering game content after the presenting of the first wagering game content, and detecting player inputs. The method can also include assigning priority values to the player inputs, and responding to the player inputs in an order related to the priority values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: 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: 8449394Abstract: A plug-in architecture for a wagering game network is described. Plug-in modules may provide various functions for services related to wagering games. Such functions may include random number generation, user interface functions, player tracking functions, central determinant functions etc. The plug-ins are dynamically loaded during the run-time of an application or service.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Damon E. Gura, Larry Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Travis Whidden, Timothy D. Wilson
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Publication number: 20130130778Abstract: A wagering game machine includes a processor and a wagering game module, executable on the processor, configured to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered to a wagering game player. The machine includes a receiver configured to communicate with a transmitter of a mobile device to receive a mobile payment from the mobile device. The machine includes a bill validator that is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The bill validator configured to receive the mobile payment from the receiver, wherein the bill validator is configured to output a first communication to issue a first wagering game credit for the wagering game machine in response to receipt of a monetary bill, wherein in response to receipt of the mobile payment from the receiver the bill validator is configured to output a second communication to issue a second wagering game credit on the wagering game machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 8447870Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless mesh networking in a gaming environment are described herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a network interface unit to wirelessly receive gaming data from ones of a plurality of components of a wireless mesh network, the network interface unit to wirelessly transmit the gaming data to others of the plurality of components of the wireless mesh network. The system also includes a memory unit to store certain of the gaming data and to store instructions for conducting wagering games and a central processing unit to perform operations based in part on the certain of the gaming data and to perform operations based on the instructions.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Norman St. John, Dale R. Buchholz
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Patent number: 8430741Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that present wagering game content in multiple windows. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive wagering game content and control information from more than one content provider. The wagering game system can present the content from the various content providers in one or more windows, such as by presenting content from one provider in a main window while presenting content from a second provider in one or more auxiliary windows. The wagering game system can also determine priority information for content displayed in the windows and control the appearance and actions of the windows, or content displayed within the windows, based on the priority information.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: 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: 8430745Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes receiving, from a mobile phone, a request to transfer a first fund amount from a player account to a wagering game machine. The method can also include determining that the player account does not include the first fund amount; receiving a second fund amount from a secondary funding source, and augmenting the player account by the second fund amount, wherein the augmenting results in the player account including the first fund amount. The method can also include transferring the first fund amount from the player account to the wagering game machine; debiting the player account by the first fund amount.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace
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Patent number: 8360887Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module operable to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a network module operable to detect a wagering game network server availability broadcast signal. The network module connects to the wagering game network server identified in the availability broadcast signal, and authenticates the identity of the wagering game network server.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Dale R. Buchholz
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Patent number: 8267792Abstract: Systems and methods manage the presentation of wagering games on a portable wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine if an authorized user is in possession of the portable wagering game machine, and further determine if the portable wagering game machine is in a location where wagering games are authorized to be presented.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8239449Abstract: Systems and methods use a reliable connection oriented protocol to send and receive messages (i.e. datagrams) between gaming applications and gaming services. In one aspect, the protocol is the SCTP protocol.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz
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Patent number: 8172684Abstract: According to one example embodiment disclosed herein, a connection is established between a network and a plurality of gaming units located in a gaming establishment, wherein each gaming unit includes at least one wagering input unit; wherein the network includes one or more network resources and is connected to at least some of the plurality of gaming units; and a gaming information traffic is transmitted on the network.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla
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Publication number: 20110300925Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from content sources that are accessible to a wagering game machine and determining presentation requirements for the content. The operations can further include determining a presentation template that the wagering game machine can use to present the content according the presentation requirements. The presentation template can have pre-configured presentation areas, one of which can be configured to present the content according to pre-defined configuration settings. The operations can further include determining that one pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template content can present the content in accordance with the presentation requirements, and presenting the content in pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Publication number: 20110263318Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes receiving, from a mobile phone, a request to transfer a first fund amount from a player account to a wagering game machine. The method can also include determining that the player account does not include the first fund amount; receiving a second fund amount from a secondary funding source, and augmenting the player account by the second fund amount, wherein the augmenting results in the player account including the first fund amount. The method can also include transferring the first fund amount from the player account to the wagering game machine; debiting the player account by the first fund amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace
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Publication number: 20110250955Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Publication number: 20110028203Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that present wagering game content in multiple windows. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive wagering game content and control information from more than one content provider. The wagering game system can present the content from the various content providers in one or more windows, such as by presenting content from one provider in a main window while presenting content from a second provider in one or more auxiliary windows. The wagering game system can also determine priority information for content displayed in the windows and control the appearance and actions of the windows, or content displayed within the windows, based on the priority information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: 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