Patents by Inventor John F. Acres

John F. Acres 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).

  • OPTIMIZING DRAWING PRIZE AWARDS
    Publication number: 20200126357
    Abstract: A promotional game is conducted over participants' cell phones. During a play period, a participant advances on a virtual game board using cell phone commands. During the player period drawing entries are generated proportional to play on electronic gaming devices, play of the promotional game, or retail purchases. Some players receive a multiplier for their drawing entries to enhance chances of winning the promotional game. In one embodiment, the multiplier is removed for a player after a cutoff threshold for prizes awarded to that player is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • OUTCOME DETERMINATION METHOD FOR GAMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200118395
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • Delayed bonus win determination
    Patent number: 10614663
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices having a delayed bonus win determination and methods of operating gaming systems and gaming devices to provide delayed bonus win determinations. Here, contributions to a linked jackpot may be separated from the chance to win the linked jackpot, where the chance to win the linked jackpot can be stored and used at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Acres Technology
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR GAMING AND BONUS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200105093
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to communication methods in gaming networks using portable devices. In some networks portable devices communicate information about the status of particular gaming machines on the gaming network. In other networks portable devices are used as a secondary display for the gaming device. In yet other networks bonus games may be played on the portable devices. Further embodiments include a portable device that operates to match a current state of a game to a pre-defined state or states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • System to dispatch casino agents to an electronic gaming machine in response to a predefined event at the electronic gaming machine
    Patent number: 10593151
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for dispatching a person to an electronic gaming machine in response to a predefined event at the electronic gaming machine. A listing of casino agents who may be dispatched is stored on in a database. A communication on a network of gaming machines is received indicating that a casino agent should be dispatched to one of the electronic gaming machines. A signal is automatically sent to a wireless device carried by a person including data that identifies the one electronic gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventors: John F. Acres, Kevin Parker, Andrea McCurry
  • Electronic wagering
    Patent number: 10586428
    Abstract: The present system incorporates mobile computing devices to play games, such as electronic pull-tabs, in a plurality of venues, each having a local wireless network. Each network communicates with a central system that generates decks of game outcomes and associated awards. All wagers and awards for each game are tracked on the central system, which also provides each game award and associated outcome from a deck stored on the central system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventors: John F. Acres, Warren White, Mark N. Dailey, William Dale Hermansen, Anthony Morelli, Alex White, Cyrus A. Luciano, John G. Schmitz, Andrew King, Patrick B. Ferguson
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPATCHING CASINO PERSONNEL AND TRACKING INTERACTIONS WITH PLAYERS
    Publication number: 20200074797
    Abstract: The present embodiment includes a dispatch system and method in which a casino agent is equipped with mobile computing devices that receive a dispatch notification. The notification includes the identity of an electronic gaming device at which an identified player has started a gaming session and the identity of the player. The player's record is displayed on the mobile computing device and includes the number of times the casino agent has been dispatched to a gaming device at which the player is identified as well as descriptions of prior calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • RESERVE CREDITS FOR USE ON GAMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200066096
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • RAPID PLAY POKER GAMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200051400
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a video poker gaming device that deals five cards to a player and selects five more cards that represent the possible cards used in a later draw. From these ten cards, the gaming device if a winning combination above a threshold amount is possible. If such a winning combination is not possible, in some embodiments, the device automatically ends the game and deals a new hand. If a win over the threshold amount is possible, the gaming device allows the player to hold and draw cards. This increases the speed of play of the poker game and focuses game play on hands where winning combinations are likely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • System and method for measuring gaming player behavior
    Patent number: 10553072
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to analyzing recorded game information to determine information about a player's behavior. This is accomplished by analyzing the player's actions following a positive increase in credits within credit meter data. This analysis can be utilized in automatically altering a game parameter of the gaming device being played by the player or in providing operators trend information that can be used in modifying the game device or designing future gaming devices. An analysis station may be included in a gaming system using this analysis process to allow an operator to view and manipulate a graphical representation of the credit meter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Optimizing drawing prize awards
    Patent number: 10553074
    Abstract: A promotional game is conducted over participants' cell phones. During a play period, a participant advances on a virtual game board using cell phone commands. During the player period drawing entries are generated proportional to play on electronic gaming devices, play of the promotional game, or retail purchases. Some players receive a multiplier for their drawing entries to enhance chances of winning the promotional game. In one embodiment, the multiplier is removed for a player after a cutoff threshold for prizes awarded to that player is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING GAMING ACTIVITY
    Publication number: 20200016482
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • METHOD FOR LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING PLAYERS ON A NETWORK OF GAMING MACHINES
    Publication number: 20200020204
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for locating and identifying players on a network of gaming machines. A player's name or a gaming machine number is searched on a mobile computing device that is operatively connected to the network. A match of a name displays the gaming machine where the player is playing. A match of a gaming machine indicates whether an identified player is playing the gaming machine, and if so, displays the player's name.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE GAME PLAY OPTION
    Publication number: 20200013262
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to gaming devices that are configured to initiate multiple gaming events in response to a player input. The gaming device may include game initiating inputs that initiate a predetermined number of gaming events in response to the player input, or the gaming device may include configurable game initiating inputs that initiate a number of gaming events specified by the player, specified the gaming device, or specified by a gaming server. The gaming device or gaming server may set the number of initiated game events in response to the occurrence of a triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • Personal electronic device for gaming and bonus system
    Patent number: 10529171
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to communication methods in gaming networks using portable devices. In some networks portable devices communicate information about the status of particular gaming machines on the gaming network. In other networks portable devices are used as a secondary display for the gaming device. In yet other networks bonus games may be played on the portable devices. Further embodiments include a portable device that operates to match a current state of a game to a pre-defined state or states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Outcome determination method for gaming device
    Patent number: 10529189
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • DEGRESSIVE BONUS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190371124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES
  • Rapid play poker gaming device
    Patent number: 10497219
    Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a video poker gaming device that deals five cards to a player and selects five more cards that represent the possible cards used in a later draw. From these ten cards, the gaming device if a winning combination above a threshold amount is possible. If such a winning combination is not possible, in some embodiments, the device automatically ends the game and deals a new hand. If a win over the threshold amount is possible, the gaming device allows the player to hold and draw cards. This increases the speed of play of the poker game and focuses game play on hands where winning combinations are likely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • Reserve credits for use on gaming device
    Patent number: 10497210
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Acres
  • METHOD FOR SHARING GAME PLAY ON AN ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20190355210
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide an electronic gaming device that facilitates wagering by multiple players on a single gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play on such a gaming device, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming station, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming station, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming stations, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventor: JOHN F. ACRES