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).

  • Patent number: 9129488
    Abstract: A gaming machine reel having a motor capable of rotating the reel operatively coupled to a controller to control a reel rotation speed, a support mechanism coupled to the motor having an outer circumferential region, a rotatable display mounted on the outer circumferential region operable to rotate about an axis of the reel. The rotatable display may be used to display game play indicia utilized in a wager-based game of chance. A game controller coupled to the rotatable display may be configured to determine a portion of the rotatable display that is visible through a viewing window on the gaming machine at a particular, determine pixel locations associated with the visible portions and map visual content to the visible portions as a function of time while the rotatable display is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Chauncey W. Griswold, Joseph R. Hedrick, Richard L. Wilder, Harold E. Mattice
  • Publication number: 20150228153
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Martin S. Lyons, Sean C. Martin
  • Publication number: 20150126279
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20140353983
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Kay Daniel Vetter, Joseph R. Hedrick, Scott Thomas Hilbert
  • Patent number: 8784211
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus for wirelessly communicating between devices within the gaming machine. The gaming machine includes a gaming machine housing to which a master gaming controller and one or more gaming peripherals can be mounted. The master gaming controller is adapted for executing a game of chance played on the gaming machine and communicating wirelessly with the one or more gaming peripherals used to play the game of chance. Furthermore, the gaming machine includes a wireless communication manager that can manage wireless communications between the master gaming controller and the gaming peripherals, between the gaming peripherals, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert Silva, Chris Lundy, Garrett Olson, Jason Kremer, Joseph R. Hedrick, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140162792
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Joseph R. Hedrick, Bryan Wolf
  • Patent number: 8678912
    Abstract: A disclosed player tracking unit provides a display and a player tracking controller designed or configured to provide a web-browser on the display. The player tracking unit may include one or more input devices that can receive selections associated with the web-browser. Furthermore, the player tracking unit can include a multimedia board for processing digitally formatted program files for output on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8672742
    Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player in terms of one or more credits, displaying an image representative of a game, and determining an outcome associated with the game. The method further includes determining if an event has occurred, calculating a purchase cost for each payout in a plurality of payouts when the event occurs, displaying an image representing the plurality of payouts, the image including the payout cost for each payout in the plurality of payouts, receiving a selection from the player of one of the plurality of payouts, receiving from the player the purchase cost of the one of the plurality of payouts selected by the player, and transmitting a request to provide the one of the plurality of payouts to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8668571
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming apparatus for allowing a player to participate in a multi-player wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player, along with an alternate outcome display at an alternate outcome display device. The alternate outcome display device may include a rotatable reel and a cover variably disposed in front of the rotatable reel. The gaming apparatus controller may receive a display request where the alternate outcome display device disposes a cover to visibly obscure the reel if the request is to obscure the reel, and disposes the cover to visibly display the reel if the request is to observe the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 8651956
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Joseph R. Hedrick, Bryan Wolf
  • Patent number: 8632406
    Abstract: A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a multimedia interface with a display and an interface to one or more sound projection devices and a multimedia board for processing digitally formatted program files for output on the multimedia interface. The player tracking unit may provide menus of audio and video programs, such as a menu for a musical jukebox or a menu for a video-on-demand service. Using a “TV-like” interface, a user may be able to select a program to output on the multimedia interface and control playback features of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Binh T. Nguyen, Mike Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8622838
    Abstract: A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a multimedia interface with a display and an interface to one or more sound projection devices and a multimedia board for processing digitally formatted program files for output on the multimedia interface. The player tracking unit may provide menus of audio and video programs, such as a menu for a musical jukebox or a menu for a video-on-demand service. Using a “TV-like” interface, a user may be able to select a program to output on the multimedia interface and control playback features of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Binh T. Nguyen, Mike Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20130281209
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Publication number: 20130281208
    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: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Joseph R. Hedrick, Brett Jackson, Roderick Ang
  • Publication number: 20130274007
    Abstract: Various systems, gaming devices, and methods for demographic adaptation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for modifying a gaming presentation includes presenting a gaming presentation on a computing device. The method further includes using a biometric image capture device to obtain biometric information of a user. The method further includes determining the age of the user based upon the obtained biometric information. The method further includes modifying the gaming presentation by altering sensory information based upon the determined age of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Joseph R. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 8523664
    Abstract: A machine having a card processing assembly. The machine has a plurality of card holders connectable to the card processing assembly. One card holder is configured to hold data cards associated with one condition. At least one other card holder is configured to hold data cards associated with another condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli, Greg Parrott
  • Patent number: 8500349
    Abstract: A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Eric Meyerhofer, Joseph R. Hedrick, William R. Wells, Franco Crivelli
  • Patent number: 8496518
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value input device, a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a light array, an audio output device, and a controller operatively coupled to said value input device, said display unit, said light array and said audio output device, said controller including a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on said display unit, to determine a game event mode, to selectively perform one of: (i) to cause a sound segment to be generated on said audio output device and synchronize a light pattern to be generated on said light array with the sound segment and (ii) to control said light array directly to cause a light pattern to be generated on said light array according to the game event mode, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, Richard L. Wilder, Joseph R. Hedrick, William Wells
  • Patent number: 8376831
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes main and secondary displays. The secondary display is disposed apart from the primary display and is used for presenting primary, secondary, or even tertiary information. The main display is controlled electronically by a gaming machine controller, which main display presents the results of a play on the gaming machine. In the case of a slot machine, the main display may be the glass display through which the spinning reels of a game play are viewed. In a video poker gaming machine, the main display is usually a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) which displays a video game image to the player and other information directly associated with the game play. The secondary display may be provided at various locations on the gaming machine such as in a top glass portion of the gaming machine or a belly glass portion of the gaming machine, which belly glass portion is located below a main display portion of the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Jean Pierre Legras, Chauncey W. Griswold, Don C. Stephan
  • Patent number: RE44295
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes main and secondary displays. The secondary display is disposed apart from the primary display and is used for presenting primary, secondary, or even tertiary information. The main display is controlled electronically by a gaming machine controller, which main display presents the results of a play on the gaming machine. In the case of a slot machine, the main display may be the glass display through which the spinning reels of a game play are viewed. In a video poker gaming machine, the main display is usually a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) which displays a video game image to the player and other information directly associated with the game play. The secondary display may be provided at various locations on the gaming machine such as in a top glass portion of the gaming machine or a belly glass portion of the gaming machine, which belly glass portion is located below a main display portion of the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hedrick, Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Jean Pierre Legras, Chauncey W. Griswold, Don C. Stephan