Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Hedrick

Joseph R. Hedrick 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: 20180052582
    Abstract: A video gaming system is disclosed that includes one or more game processors, one or more video displays, an apparatus for a player to control the play of the game, and a memory device. The memory device stores a set of fixed instructions to control the game processor and is configured to: enable the player to interact with the game interface to select a game from a list of games offered by the video gaming machine, wherein the game is represented by a game bubble floating in the game interface; display a game selection interface to enable the player to select the game and add the game in a control panel, wherein the control panel is configured to display multiple games selected by the player; and enable the player to switch among the plurality of games and control a game play of the plurality of games concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Scott T. HILBERT, Joseph R. Hedrick, David Ponce, Yogendrasinh Hematji RAJPUT, Prateek Kumar BAISHKHIYAR, Ravi SUBRAMANIAN, Pratima Mary YEDLURI
  • Patent number: 9858754
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling an augmented reality interaction system and a mobile device to overlay a virtual 3D component over a physical 3D component with which the virtual 3D component interacts. The method includes: enabling a user to capture a live camera image of a gaming machine cabinet via a camera on the mobile device; determining if there are image tags on the gaming machine cabinet in the live camera image; producing a virtual rendering of the gaming machine cabinet; determining virtual 3D components to be displayed over an image of a virtual gaming machine cabinet; comparing a virtual depth rendering of the virtual 3D components to a virtual depth rendering of the virtual gaming machine cabinet; and overlaying virtual 3D components without the subtracted elements onto a live camera image of the virtual gaming machine cabinet on a display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20170323522
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable cross platform persistent gaming sessions using a mobile device in a mobile device-enhanced system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for reformatting original graphical content designed for presentation on a gaming machine for presentation on a mobile computing device for which the original graphical content was not originally designed may include transmitting display information associated with a display on the mobile computing device to the gaming machine. The method may include receiving, by the gaming machine, the display information transmitted by the mobile computing device. The method may include determining a resolution or aspect ratio associated with the original graphical content. The method may include reformatting the original graphical content based on the resolution or aspect ratio associated with the original graphical content and the display information received from the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Scott T. HILBERT, Joseph R. HEDRICK
  • Patent number: 9811236
    Abstract: A video gaming system is disclosed that includes one or more game processors, one or more video displays, an apparatus for a player to control the play of the game, and a memory device. The memory device stores a set of fixed instructions to control the game processor and is configured to: enable the player to interact with the game interface to select a game from a list of games offered by the video gaming machine, wherein the game is represented by a game bubble floating in the game interface; display a game selection interface to enable the player to select the game and add the game in a control panel, wherein the control panel is configured to display multiple games selected by the player; and enable the player to switch among the plurality of games and control a game play of the plurality of games concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Joseph R. Hedrick, David Ponce, Yogendrasinh Hematji Rajput, Prateek Kumar Baishkhiyar, Ravi Subramanian, Pratima Mary Yedluri
  • Patent number: 9767642
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable cross platform persistent gaming sessions using a mobile device in a mobile device-enhanced system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for reformatting original graphical content designed for presentation on a gaming machine for presentation on a mobile computing device for which the original graphical content was not originally designed may include transmitting display information associated with a display on the mobile computing device to the gaming machine. The method may include receiving, by the gaming machine, the display information transmitted by the mobile computing device. The method may include determining a resolution or aspect ratio associated with the original graphical content. The method may include reformatting the original graphical content based on the resolution or aspect ratio associated with the original graphical content and the display information received from the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 9754443
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable remote play of a game hosted by a gaming machine using a mobile device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a network in communication with the gaming machine and the mobile device, and the network includes a first wireless access point located in a first area and a second wireless access point located in a second area of a venue. Also included is a remote gaming server in communication with the gaming machine and mobile device over the network. The remote gaming server enables remote play when the mobile device is connected to the second wireless access point and prevents remote play when the mobile device is connected to the first wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Martin S. Lyons, Sean C. Martin
  • Publication number: 20170193708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a complex augmented reality system implementing a mobile device to display complex augmented reality on a display device. A user captures one or more live images from the display device via a camera on the mobile device, which sends the images to a server. The server determines if there are one or more image tags on the display device that are viewable in the live camera images and, if so, uses the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system to overlay virtual graphics in a position within 3D space on a display of the mobile device to augment the image of the display device with 3D effects to create complex augmented reality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Martin S. LYONS, Joseph R. HEDRICK, Brett JACKSON, Roderick ANG
  • Patent number: 9659437
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling cross platform persistent gaming sessions using a mobile device in a system that includes a game server, a network, one or more gaming machines, and one or more mobile devices. The method includes: associating a player's mobile device with one of the one or more gaming machines at which the player has a gaming session; presenting a player with an option to move their gaming experience to their mobile device when the player leaves the associated gaming machine if a gaming session is in progress; enabling the player to use its mobile device to continue playing a game after the player has left a proximity of the associated gaming machine by transferring the game from the associated gaming machine to the player's mobile device; and enabling transfer of funds between the associated gaming machine and the players' mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Martin S. Lyons, Sean C. Martin, Joseph R. Hedrick, Joseph Lerner
  • Patent number: 9626807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling use of a complex augmented reality system and a mobile device to display complex augmented reality on a display device. The method includes: enabling a user to capture one or more images from the display device via a camera on the mobile device; determining if there are one or more image tags within a video display on the display device that are viewable in the live camera image; using the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system; and overlaying virtual graphics in a position within 3D space on a display of the mobile device that augment the display of the display device with 3D effects to create complex augmented reality, when one or more image tags are detected within a video display on the display device that are viewable in a live camera image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Publication number: 20170087465
    Abstract: A method enables a user to use an augmented reality system and a mobile device to display augmented reality by overlaying a virtual 3D object over a physical 3D object. In one implementation, the method includes: enabling a user to capture a live camera image of a physical 3D object via camera on the mobile device; determining if there are image tags on the physical 3D object in the live camera image; using the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system; and overlaying the virtual 3D object onto a live camera image of the physical 3D object on a display of the mobile device to produce augmented reality effects, wherein the virtual 3D object delivers content a user that assists in performing maintenance on the physical 3D object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Roderick Ang, Brett Jackson, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20170030111
    Abstract: An electronic lock and system particularly for replacing existing mechanical locks for enclosures including gaming devices are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a cabinet having a chassis and a main gaming device door locked by a mechanical lock. The electronic lock is configured to have a profile to replace the existing mechanical locks and includes a rotatable bolt receiving a sleeve. In a retained and locked position the sleeve is within the lock barrel and an operator is nested in a pocket in the barrel head. Upon receiving a command a motor rotates a cam and the sleeve is released to axially move to release the operator from the pocket for rotation of the sleeve and bolt to unlock the door. Sensors sense for fault conditions. Authentication is required to provoke the opening command. Opening events may be logged at a system server or local memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kay Daniel VETTER, Joseph R. HEDRICK, Scott Thomas HILBERT
  • Patent number: 9487972
    Abstract: An electronic lock and system particularly for replacing existing mechanical locks for gaming devices are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a cabinet having a chassis and a main gaming device door locked by a mechanical lock. The electronic lock is configured to have a profile to replace the existing mechanical locks and includes a rotatable bolt receiving a sleeve. In a retained and locked position the sleeve is within the lock barrel and an operator is nested in a pocket in the barrel head. Upon receiving a command a motor rotates a cam and the sleeve is released to axially move to release the operator from the pocket for rotation of the sleeve and bolt to unlock the door. Sensors sense for fault conditions. Authentication is required to provoke the opening command Opening events may be logged at a system server or local memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Kay Daniel Vetter, Joseph R. Hedrick, Scott Thomas Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20160163113
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling use of a complex augmented reality system and a mobile device to display complex augmented reality on a display device. The method includes: enabling a user to capture one or more images from the display device via a camera on the mobile device; determining if there are one or more image tags within a video display on the display device that are viewable in the live camera image; using the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system; and overlaying virtual graphics in a position within 3D space on a display of the mobile device that augment the display of the display device with 3D effects to create complex augmented reality, when one or more image tags are detected within a video display on the display device that are viewable in a live camera image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Publication number: 20160092065
    Abstract: A video gaming system is disclosed that includes one or more game processors, one or more video displays, an apparatus for a player to control the play of the game, and a memory device. The memory device stores a set of fixed instructions to control the game processor and is configured to: enable the player to interact with the game interface to select a game from a list of games offered by the video gaming machine, wherein the game is represented by a game bubble floating in the game interface; display a game selection interface to enable the player to select the game and add the game in a control panel, wherein the control panel is configured to display multiple games selected by the player; and enable the player to switch among the plurality of games and control a game play of the plurality of games concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Joseph R. Hedrick, David Ponce, Yogendrasinh Hematji Rajput, Prateek Kumar Baishkhiyar, Ravi Subramanian, Pratima Mary Yedluri
  • Publication number: 20160071354
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a multi-touch game play system that includes a display subsystem, a sensor subsystem, and one or more computing subsystems. The display subsystem is configured to display images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface. The images include a virtual game layout having a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the one or more games. The sensor subsystem is configured to detect multiple touch gestures, wherein gestures include simultaneous touches by multiple fingers, consecutive touches by a single finger, touching and sliding of a finger, touching and sliding of multiple fingers, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Hilbert, David Ponce, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 9269219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling use of a complex augmented reality system and a mobile device to display complex augmented reality on a display device. The method includes: enabling a user to capture one or more images from the display device via a camera on the mobile device; determining if there are one or more image tags within a video display on the display device that are viewable in the live camera image; using the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system; and overlaying virtual graphics in a position within 3D space on a display of the mobile device that augment the display of the display device with 3D effects to create complex augmented reality, when one or more image tags are detected within a video display on the display device that are viewable in a live camera image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Patent number: 9165421
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling a user in an augmented reality gaming venue to use an augmented reality system and a mobile device to display augmented reality by overlaying a virtual 3D object over a physical 3D object. The method includes: enabling a user to capture a live camera image of a 3D object via camera on the mobile device; determining if there are image tags on the 3D object in the live camera image; using the one or more image tags to access information used by the augmented reality system; and overlaying virtual 3D objects onto a live camera image of the virtual 3D object on a display of the mobile device to produce augmented reality effects, wherein the virtual 3D objects deliver targeted content a user that assist in performing maintenance on the 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Patent number: D742975
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon H. Myers, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: D761918
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Joseph R. Hedrick, Scott Hilbert, Gordon Myers, Kay Vetter
  • Patent number: D810834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Joseph R. Hedrick, Scott Hilbert, Gordon Myers, Kay Vetter