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).

  • Patent number: 8834254
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20140206441
    Abstract: “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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 8771066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
  • Patent number: 8715073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20140106865
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20130252714
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20130244761
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 8449394
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Damon E. Gura, Larry Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Travis Whidden, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130130778
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8447870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Norman St. John, Dale R. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8430741
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8430745
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace
  • Patent number: 8360887
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Dale R. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8267792
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8239449
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8172684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20110300925
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
  • Publication number: 20110263318
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace
  • Publication number: 20110250955
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
  • Publication number: 20110028203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    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