Patents by Inventor Mark B. Gagner

Mark B. Gagner 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: 10410471
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
  • Patent number: 10406426
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method comprising: operating a primary controller to present a first wagering game on a gaming terminal, the first wagering game including first content from a first content source; operating a secondary controller to present a second wagering game on the same or another game terminal, the second wagering game including second content from a second content source; accessing, by the second controller, funds from a first credit meter associated with the first wagering game; and electronically routing accessed funds from the first credit meter to a second credit meter associated with the second wagering game to fund one or more wagers for the second wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 10403081
    Abstract: Systems and methods for serving patrons in a wagering game environment are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving patron service information, wherein the patron service information indicates activities of a patron in a casino. The method can also include selecting, based on the patron service information, a service for the patron, wherein the patron has not requested the service. Additionally, the method can include presenting a service order instructing a service attendant to deliver the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Ehrlich, Andrew Fowler, Mark B. Gagner, Joel R. Jaffe, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Christopher Green, Kate H. Holmes, Peter Petras
  • Patent number: 10395465
    Abstract: In some embodiments a wagering game system comprises a personal area network device configured to render media content including results of a wagering game. The system can include a wagering game machine configured to determine and provide the wagering game results to the personal area network device. The wagering game machine can include a personal area network device transceiver configured to exchange data with the personal area network device, the data including the wagering game results, and a personal area network controller configured to detect the personal area network device, to procure an identification code for the personal area network device without player input, and to authenticate the personal area network device by use of the identification code. The system can also include a repository configured to store the identification code in association with a player identifier and to provide the identification code to the wagering game machine upon request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy C. Loose, Larry J. Pacey, Scott H. Schulhof
  • Patent number: 10319185
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for instance providing, for presentation via one or more electronic display devices associated with the gaming system, first digital content for a first application that is independent from a second application that concurrently presents second digital content via the one or more electronic display devices; intercepting, by the first application, data associated with the second digital content; determining, via one or more electronic processing units of the gaming system and based on the data, a relationship between the first digital content and the second digital content; and causing the second application to automatically modify presentation of the second digital content in response to determining the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Siva Kumar Krishnan, Larry J Pacey, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J Ward
  • Patent number: 10290183
    Abstract: In at least some aspects, a method includes the acts of operating a wagering game with a player on a first game platform, suspending the wagering game operating on the first game platform at a game state, automatically authenticating the player at a second game platform different than the first game platform, resuming the wagering game from the game state on the second game platform, and operating the resumed wagering game with the player differently on the second game platform than on the first game platform, the second game platform having one or more different components than the first game platform to cause the wagering game to be operated differently on the second game platform than the first game platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Vincent P. Chan, Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Murphy, Larry Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190096172
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Michael R. BYTNAR, Michael Vincent DICILLO, Patrick M. GUSTAFSON, Jeremy Michael HORNIK, Gary John OSWALD, Richard Barry ROBBINS, Nickey C. SHIN, Jesse M. SMITH, Simon Edward SUNBLADE, Jamie W. VANN, Muthu VELU, Matthew J. WARD, Steven J. ZOLOTO, Dale Robert BUCHHOLZ, Mark B. GAGNER, Craig Joe SYLLA
  • Patent number: 10235827
    Abstract: A gaming system for interacting with a wagering game in 3D space includes sensors positioned to define a 3D volume within which things may be introduced to make gestures that are detected in the 3D volume and associated with wagering-game functions Different 3D gestures cause different wagering-game functions to be earned out One gesture browses among selections involved in the game outcome while another gesture selects a wagering-game element 3D gestures change virtual camera angles to view hidden surfaces 3D wagering-game objects Gestures include throwing physical dice that transition to virtual dice whereupon the game software takes over to depict a randomly selected game outcome RFID-tagged chips are placed on tables to determine their value and location A fishing game detects a hook attached to a fishing rod held by the player and displays a virtual representation of the hook on four video displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ball Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jacob C. Greenberg, Mark Johnson, Andrew Landsman, Eleobardo Moreno, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 10217319
    Abstract: A gaming system is configured to transfer wagering credits usable for wagering from a first cashless wagering system to a second cashless wagering system, the gaming system including a first and a second gaming machine and controller(s) configured to perform acts including depositing wagering credits associated with the first gaming machine into the first cashless wagering system, accessing, via a first system access technique, the first cashless wagering system and debiting, in a first transaction, the wagering credits from the first cashless wagering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Erhard W. Rathsack, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 10163298
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Michael Vincent DiCillo, Patrick M. Gustafson, Jeremy Michael Hornik, Gary John Oswald, Richard Barry Robbins, Nickey C. Shin, Jesse M. Smith, Simon Edward Sunblade, Jamie W. Vann, Muthu Velu, Matthew J. Ward, Steven J. Zoloto, Dale Robert Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Craig Joe Sylla
  • Patent number: 10140814
    Abstract: A wagering game machine includes a processor and a wagering game module, executable on the processor, configured to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered to a wagering game player. The machine includes a receiver configured to communicate with a transmitter of a mobile device to receive a mobile payment from the mobile device. The machine includes a bill validator that is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The bill validator configured to receive the mobile payment from the receiver, wherein the bill validator is configured to output a first communication to issue a first wagering game credit for the wagering game machine in response to receipt of a monetary bill, wherein in response to receipt of the mobile payment from the receiver the bill validator is configured to output a second communication to issue a second wagering game credit on the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180322731
    Abstract: Systems and methods determine a location for a portable wagering game machine. The system may include a plurality of wireless signal sources, including wireless access points or Bluetooth type devices. The wireless signal sources may be arranged in predetermined locations such as a grid. In addition, a database may provide location information for the plurality of wireless signal sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Mark B. GAGNER
  • Patent number: 10115270
    Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Damon E Gura, Timothy C Loose, James M Rasmussen, Victor T Shi, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 10068429
    Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Damon E Gura, Timothy C Loose, James M Rasmussen, Victor T Shi, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 10068418
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Mark B. Gagner, Richard T. Schwartz, Vladimir I. Arezina
  • Patent number: 10046232
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring media content of a wagering game table 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 acquired. A direction that a lens of the camera is facing when the media content is acquired is determined. The wagering game table is identified based on the location and the direction. Overlay imagery derived from wagering game activity of the wagering game table 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: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9997015
    Abstract: A set of one or more processor units detects occurrence of a first game event during a wagering game presented at a stationary wagering game machine. In response to detecting the occurrence of the first game event, the set of one or more processor units presents a second game event at a portable machine. In addition, a control input may be received at the portable machine. The portable machine communicates an indication of the control input, which causes occurrence of a third game event at the stationary wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Craig J. Sylla, James M. Rasmussen, Larry J. Pacey, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy J. Durham
  • Publication number: 20180108211
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Alfred THOMAS, Jeremy M. HORNIK, Larry J. PACEY, Mark B. GAGNER, Richard T. SCHWARTZ, Vladimir I. AREZINA
  • Publication number: 20180096561
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes: requesting, from a player at the gaming machine, player account credentials associated with the player; receiving, at the gaming machine, the player account credentials, wherein the player account credentials are associated with a player's account on the account server and enable linking game play on the gaming machine to the player's account, and wherein the player account credentials are provided to the player's mobile phone in response to joining a players club prior to detection of the initiation event; transmitting, via the gaming machine, the player account credentials to the account server; receiving, from the account server, validation of the player account credentials based on comparing the received player account credentials with credentials stored on the account server; upon receipt of the validation, linking a wagering game session on the gaming machine with the player account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180082524
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael R. BYTNAR, Michael Vincent DICILLO, Patrick M. GUSTAFSON, Jeremy Michael HORNIK, Gary John OSWALD, Richard Barry ROBBINS, Nickey C. SHIN, Jesse M. SMITH, Simon Edward SUNBLADE, Jamie W. VANN, Muthu VELU, Matthew J. WARD, Steven J. ZOLOTO, Dale Robert BUCHHOLZ, Mark B. GAGNER, Craig Joe SYLLA