Patents by Inventor David E. Detlefsen

David E. Detlefsen 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: 10002489
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for example presenting, via an autostereoscopic display device, symbols for an electronic wagering game, determining a game event value for a game event for the wagering game, determining a first symbol significance value for a first set of the symbols based on the game event value, and determining a second symbol significance value for a second set of the symbols based on the game event value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the first set of the symbols with a first autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the first symbol significance value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the second set of the symbols with a second autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the second symbol significance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Patent number: 9728041
    Abstract: A layout pattern of a plurality of possible layout patterns for wagering game machines is determined. An input indicating a location of a wagering game machine within the layout patter is received. A mapping of the wagering game machine to the location within the layout pattern is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, David E. Detlefsen, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Victor V. Lerias, III, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170221300
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method for controlling a wagering game on a wagering game machine. The method can include presenting, at an autostereoscopic depth and from a first perspective, a wagering game object moving about an autostereoscopic display device during the wagering game. The method can also include ceasing movement of the wagering game object on the autostereoscopic display device. The method can also include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, indicia directing a player to a vantage point. The method can also include detecting, via a camera, that the player is at the vantage point. The method can also include in response to the player being at the vantage point, presenting at the wagering game object on the autostereoscopic display device at the autostereoscopic depth and from a second perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Patent number: 9679437
    Abstract: A method includes capturing media content of a wagering game machine at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is captured. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is captured is determined. The wagering game machine is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game machine is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Brian Gamache, Damon E. Gura
  • Patent number: 9646453
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include detecting a request to present a wagering game object via a display device capable of stereoscopic, three-dimensional visual effects. In some embodiments, the wagering game object is one of a plurality of wagering game objects. In some embodiments, the operations further include determining a virtual three-dimensional depth value based on one a degree of significance assigned to the wagering game object. The operations can further include presenting the wagering game object via the display device with a degree of three-dimensional stereoscopic depth effect that corresponds to the virtual three-dimensional depth value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Patent number: 9619961
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include, for example, detecting, by at least one of one or more electronic processing units of the wagering game system, a first game condition in a wagering game presented via an autostereoscopic display device of the wagering game system. The wagering game includes game symbols used for presentation of wagering game outcomes for the wagering game. The operations can further include determining, based on the first game condition, a first significance level from a plurality of significance levels associated with a first of the game symbols. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the first of the game symbols with a first autostereoscopic depth level that corresponds to the first significance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Patent number: 9542797
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld device coupled to a fixed structure. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a base predefined zone and a first predefined zone. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space and the first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space. A memory device stores instructions that, when executed, by at least one of one or more processors of the gaming system, cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Larry J. Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9390580
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a method includes: presenting a wagering game on a wagering game machine; detecting, during the wagering game, a trigger for a bonus game; presenting player-selectable bonus game options on a display device of the wagering game machine; detecting sign-on to an account on a player community server; after detecting the sign-on of the account, presenting a hint on the display device, wherein the hint indicates bonus game types associated with the player-selectable bonus game options; detecting selection of one of the player-selectable bonus game options, wherein the one of the player-selectable bonus game options is associated with a particular one of the bonus game types; and presenting a bonus game of the particular one of the bonus game types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Sean P. Kelly, Darren Yat-man Ng, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9330537
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a winning event during a wager cycle a wagering game, which is played using a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the operations can further include determining gaming activity that occurred before the wager cycle. The operations can further include presenting, based on the gaming activity, a congratulatory gaming effect via an output device of the wagering game machine. In some examples, the presenting of the congratulatory gaming effect occurs during the wager cycle and during one or more later wager cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Michael V. Dicillo
  • Publication number: 20160110950
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include, for example, presenting, via an autostereoscopic three-dimensional display of the wagering game system, wagering game content with an autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth effect. The wagering game content is associated with an electronic wagering game. The operations can further include detecting, via a sensor of the wagering game system, a change in a position of a slider control associated with the wagering game system. The operations can further include changing, via at least one of one or more electronic processing units of the wagering game system, a degree of the autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth effect for at least a portion of the wagering game content according to a degree of the change in the position of the slider control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20160110948
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations include, for example, detecting, by at least one of one or more electronic processing units of the wagering game system, a first game condition in a wagering game presented via an autostereoscopic display device of the wagering game system. The wagering game includes game symbols used for presentation of wagering game outcomes for the wagering game. The operations can further include determining, based on the first game condition, a first significance level from a plurality of significance levels associated with a first of the game symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20160110949
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for example presenting, via an autostereoscopic display device, symbols for an electronic wagering game, determining a game event value for a game event for the wagering game, determining a first symbol significance value for a first set of the symbols based on the game event value, and determining a second symbol significance value for a second set of the symbols based on the game event value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the first set of the symbols with a first autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the first symbol significance value. The operations can further include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device, the second set of the symbols with a second autostereoscopic three-dimensional depth value corresponding to the second symbol significance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn C. Collette, David E. Detlefsen, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20140329588
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a winning event during a wager cycle of a wagering game played during a wagering game session. In some embodiments, the operations further include presenting a congratulatory gaming effect in response to the winning event and extending presentation of the congratulatory gaming effect for a duration after the wager cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Michael V. Dicillo
  • Publication number: 20140287823
    Abstract: A layout pattern of a plurality of possible layout patterns for wagering game machines is determined. An input indicating a location of a wagering game machine within the layout patter is received. A mapping of the wagering game machine to the location within the layout pattern is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, David E. Detlefsen, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Victor V. Lerias, III, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8821244
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a winning event during a wager cycle of a wagering game played during a wagering game session. In some embodiments, the operations further include presenting a congratulatory gaming effect in response to the winning event and extending presentation of the congratulatory gaming effect for a duration after the wager cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Michael V. Dicillo
  • Publication number: 20140228096
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld device coupled to a fixed structure. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a base predefined zone and a first predefined zone. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space and the first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space. A memory device stores instructions that, when executed, by at least one of one or more processors of the gaming system, cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Larry J. Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 8721432
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for monitoring and making marketing offers using electronic devices in a wagering game network. The method can include detecting an event in the wagering game network, wherein the event indicates a player's eligibility for a marketing offer, wherein the event originates from one of the electronic devices. The method can also include determining a monetary value of the marketing offer based on terms associated with the marketing offer, and determining, based on the monetary value, that the player's acceptance of the marketing offer would exceed a marketing budget. The method can include reducing the monetary value of the marketing offer to be within the marketing budget, and causing presentation of the marketing offer on the one of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace
  • Publication number: 20130122995
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a method includes: presenting a wagering game on a wagering game machine; detecting, during the wagering game, a trigger for a bonus game; presenting player-selectable bonus game options on a display device of the wagering game machine; detecting sign-on to an account on a player community server; after detecting the sign-on of the account, presenting a hint on the display device, wherein the hint indicates bonus game types associated with the player-selectable bonus game options; detecting selection of one of the player-selectable bonus game options, wherein the one of the player-selectable bonus game options is associated with a particular one of the bonus game types; and presenting a bonus game of the particular one of the bonus game types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Sean P. Kelly, Darren Yat-man Ng, Nickey C. Shin
  • Publication number: 20120225726
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method comprising determining a layout pattern of a plurality of wagering game machines. The layout pattern indicates a plurality of locations within the layout pattern. Display of a representation of the layout pattern with highlighting of a first of the plurality of locations within the layout pattern is requested. Input at one or more of the plurality of wagering game machines in response to said high-lighting is requested. A first of the plurality of wagering game machines is mapped to the first of the plurality of locations based, at least in part, on the input being supplied from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, David E. Detlefsen, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Victor V. Lerias, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120184352
    Abstract: A method includes capturing media content of a wagering game machine at a wagering game establishment with a camera of a mobile device. A location of the mobile device is determined when the media content is captured. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is captured is determined. The wagering game machine is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game machine is downloaded into the mobile device from a server. The overlay imagery is composited onto the media content to create a composited media content. The composited media content is displayed on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Brian Gamache, Damon E. Gura