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).

  • Publication number: 20110009188
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that control wagering transactions for multi-provider game content. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can process a plurality of wagering games from multiple wagering game providers on a single wagering game machine during a single wagering game session. The system can communicate wagering transaction information for the plurality of wagering games between the wagering game machine and an account server. The wagering game system can synchronize a session funds balance on the wagering game machine with an account balance on the account server. The system can utilize different modes of synchronizing the account information for the multiple wagering games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    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: 20100190553
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Damon E. Gura, Larry Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Travis Whidden, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100048294
    Abstract: An illustrative method controls a gaming device that supports wagering on games. A communication is received at a gaming device coupled to the gaming network from another gaming device coupled to the gaming network. A determination is made by the gaming device if proprietary information is present in the communication or requested to be transmitted by the communication from the gaming device to the another gaming device. A determination is made by the gaming device whether the another gaming device is a trusted source. The gaming device processes the proprietary information associated with the communication only if the gaming device determines that the another gaming device is a trusted source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Srinivyasa Murthy Adiraju, Christopher J. Frattinger
  • Publication number: 20100029375
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Dale R. Buchholz
  • Publication number: 20090221366
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuration of a gaming device are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving configuration information associated with a specific gaming machine. The method can also include, based at least in part on the configuration information, determining configuration settings and obtaining values for the configuration settings. The method can also include transmitting the values for use in configuring the specific gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Brandon Estes, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, Timothy D. Wilson, Peter R. Anderson, Dale R. Buchholz, Srinivyasa M. Adiraju
  • Publication number: 20090176559
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090138133
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide power management on a wagering game machine. Power consumption for various components of a wagering game machine may be adjusted based on various factors, including inactivity, component activity, power source changes, time based events, wireless access point proximity, change in battery voltage, credit level threshold, change in ambient lighting, related or adjacent machine power status, mode transition to play mode, mode transition to attract mode and mode transition to diagnostic mode. Power management events and power usage data may be communicated to a remote system for analysis or action. Power management commands or policies may be received from a remote system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Steven J. Lee, Nevin J. Liber, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew R. Fitzdimons, Eric Ryan
  • Publication number: 20090029767
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a way to verify that software downloaded to a gaming system is approved within a gaming jurisdiction. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a process for receiving approval for gaming software that is then made available for download onto gaming systems. A further aspect of the systems and methods includes the ability to audit and verify that software components that have been downloaded onto a gaming system are approved for use in a jurisdiction. The gaming configuration elements may include banner content, advertising content, denomination data, pay table, language data, video content, audio content, episodic game data, wagering game software, operating system software, device driver software and device firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla, Jason A. Smith, Rory L. Block
  • Publication number: 20080318669
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a digital vault in a wagering game system are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a digital vault in a wagering game system includes transmitting an indication of locally stored wagering game content for a determination about whether the wagering game content complies with regulatory or licensing rules, the indication destined for an auditor The method can also include transmitting authentication information associated with the wagering game content, the authentication information destined for the auditor. The method can also include receiving a message indicating whether the wagering game content complies with the regulatory or licensing rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Dale R. Buchholz
  • Publication number: 20080300046
    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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Norman St. John, Dale R. Buchholz
  • Publication number: 20080293494
    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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20080248876
    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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz
  • Patent number: 7433822
    Abstract: At an audio source, pause information is added to audio data, the combination of which is subsequently packetized. The resulting packets are transmitted to an audio destination via a network in which different packets may be subjected to varying levels of delay. At the audio destination, the pause information may be used to insert pauses at appropriate times to accommodate the occurrence of delays in packet delivery. In one embodiment, pauses are inserted based on a hierarchy of pause types. During pauses, audio filler information may be injected. In this manner, the effects of variable network delays upon reconstructed audio may be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Bashar Jano, Ira Gerson
  • Patent number: 7386303
    Abstract: In a two-way radio communications system wherein subscriber units are provided with multiple features from the software running on a server, a user interface of the subscriber unit permits the subscriber unit user to change the control state of the server software depending on different types of actuations of the user interface. In the preferred embodiment, one, two or more “clicks” on a momentary input switch, as well as pushing and holding and releasing the input switch can be used to select or de-select between multiple services and applications provided to the subscriber unit by the server software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Ira A. Gerson, Lea T. Adams
  • Patent number: 6885987
    Abstract: At an audio source, pause information is added to audio data, the combination of which is subsequently packetized. The resulting packets are transmitted to an audio destination via a network in which different packets may be subjected to varying levels of delay. At the audio destination, the pause information may be used to insert pauses at appropriate times to accommodate the occurrence of delays in packet delivery. In one embodiment, pauses are inserted based on a hierarchy of pause types. During pauses, audio filler information may be injected. In this manner, the effects of variable network delays upon reconstructed audio may be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: fastmobile, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Bashar Jano, Ira Gerson
  • Publication number: 20020173333
    Abstract: Based on local detection of input events at a subscriber unit, presentation of subscriber-targeted information (e.g., audio or visual data) may be quickly halted in response to a barge-in request indicated by an input event. The determination whether a given input event constitutes a valid barge-in request is preferably based on input event prioritization data provided to the subscriber from, for example, a server running one or more applications currently communicating with the subscriber unit. Furthermore, detection of an input event indicative of a barge-in request at a subscriber unit causes the subscriber unit to transmit a message to the source of the subscriber-targeted information (e.g., the server), which message in turn causes the information source to discontinue presentation of the subscriber-targeted information. In this manner, the present invention provides a technique for quickly responding to barge-in requests regardless of the delay characteristics of the underlying communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mihaela K. Mihaylova, Jeffrey A. Meunier
  • Publication number: 20020173299
    Abstract: In a two-way radio communications system wherein subscriber units are provided with multiple features from the software running on a server, a user interface of the subscriber unit permits the subscriber unit user to change the control state of the server software depending on different types of actuations of the user interface. In the preferred embodiment, one, two or more “clicks” on a momentary input switch, as well as pushing and holding and releasing the input switch can be used to select or de-select between multiple services and applications provided to the subscriber unit by the server software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Ira A. Gerson, Lea T. Adams
  • Publication number: 20020111812
    Abstract: At an audio source, pause information is added to audio data, the combination of which is subsequently packetized. The resulting packets are transmitted to an audio destination via a network in which different packets may be subjected to varying levels of delay. At the audio destination, the pause information may be used to insert pauses at appropriate times to accommodate the occurrence of delays in packet delivery. In one embodiment, pauses are inserted based on a hierarchy of pause types. During pauses, audio filler information may be injected. In this manner, the effects of variable network delays upon reconstructed audio may be mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Bashar Jano, Ira Gerson
  • Patent number: 5625796
    Abstract: A data processing system in which a plurality of processors or other memory access devices operate either synchronously or asynchronously with a memory interface device, which in turn provides access to one or more memory units on a time-division basis. This is accomplished by providing each memory unit a series of time-divisioned access opportunities and controlling the phase relationship between these time-divisioned access opportunities. Accordingly, two or more access devices can address an equal number of memory units simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kaczmarczyk, Dale R. Buchholz, Jeffrey A. Slawecki
  • Patent number: 5555266
    Abstract: A packet transmission system (100) with reduced transmission delays includes a communications controller (110) and a plurality of remote requesting units (112) requesting packet transmission services. Each remote unit (112) sequentially stores transmitted access requests (302) in a memory queue (500) and awaits a resource grant (306) from the communications controller (110). Upon receipt of a granted resource the remote unit (112) will apply the granted resource to the oldest request (502) stored in the queue (500) in order to transmit data (310) to the communications controller (110). A separate and distinct aspect of the transmission system (100) resides within the communications controller (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Karen E. Robbins, R. Lee Hamilton, Jr., William K. Doss