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).

  • Publication number: 20170157507
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9640033
    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: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170116822
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Timothy C Loose, James M Rasmussen, Victor T Shi, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 9619968
    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: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Balley 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: 9613490
    Abstract: An establishment can coordinate devices (e.g., lights, speakers, displays) to enhance a game playing environment based on events detected in a network of wagering game machines. A system can be implemented that determines an environmental effect based on an event of a wagering game (e.g., a near win event), regardless of the particular wagering game developer/manufacturer. The system can then determine that the environmental effect should be modified based on current circumstances of the area to be impacted and/or the player, for example. The system modifies the environment effect as indicated for the current circumstances and causes the modified environmental effect to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 9607473
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Arezina, Michael J. Blankstein, Rory L. Block, Allon G. Englman, McLaurin H. Files, Mark B. Gagner, Brian R. Gamache, Jeremy M. Hornik, Joel R. Jaffe, Larry J. Pacey, Shridhar P. Joshi, Alfred Thomas, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9607477
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a wagering game session for presentation of wagering game content. The operations can further include scanning a coded identifier during the wagering game session. The coded identifier indicates a characteristic associated with activity, events, achievements, etc. performed or attained prior to initiation of the wagering game session. For instance, the coded identifier can be a two-dimensional barcode generated in response to online activity (e.g., in response to progress attained in an online game). In some embodiments, the characteristics indicate information about the activity. The operations can further include adapting the wagering game content during the wagering game session based, at least in part, on the characteristic indicated in the coded identifier, such as providing gaming rewards and bonus games, adding funds, unlocking content, modifying wagering game content, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin R. Harry, Sean P. Kelly, Scott A. Massing, Justin A. Perkins, Victor T. Shi
  • Patent number: 9595157
    Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Timothy J. Durham, Mark B. Gagner, Alfred Thomas, Vladimir I. Arezina, Stephen A. Canterbury, Victor Mercado, Samuel D. Ralston, Matthew R. Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 9595160
    Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Alfred Thomas, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro, Kathleen J. McJohn, Larry J. Pacey
  • Patent number: 9595165
    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: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Erhard W. Rathsack, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 9573053
    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: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Nickey C. Shin
  • Patent number: 9552697
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game is presented at a wagering game machine. A wireless communication is established between the wagering game machine and a mobile device. In response to a wagering game player satisfying a wagering game criteria when playing the wagering game, access to content can be enabled on the mobile device, wherein the content is based on a context resulting from the wagering game player playing the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Q. Earley, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Daniel P. Louie
  • Patent number: 9552695
    Abstract: This description describes techniques for storing and utilizing wagering game histories. In one embodiment, a method for recording progress of a wagering game can include detecting a first event indicating a first activity of the wagering game. The method can also include storing the first event according to a first data format and detecting a second event indicating a second activity of the wagering game, wherein the second event includes random number information indicating a result of the wagering game. The method can also include encrypting the second event and storing the second event according to the first data format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Erhard W. Rathsack
  • Patent number: 9547954
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 9542807
    Abstract: A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an outcome to present for a wagering game. The wagering game includes a wagering game object configured to present the outcome using a set of possible behavioral responses. The operations can further include, based on the outcome, determining priorities for the set of possible behavioral responses and performing at least a portion of the set of possible behavioral responses according to the priorities. The operations can further include; and causing the wagering game object to present the outcome for the wagering game based on the performing the at least the portion of the set of possible behavioral responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Michael J. Irby, II, Victor T. Shi, John L. Walsh
  • 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: 9536373
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises detecting receipt of a primary wager for playing a primary wagering game, and activating a first bonus feature in response to one or more first eligibility criteria, the first bonus feature having a first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises activating a second bonus feature in response to one or more second eligibility criteria, the one or more second eligibility criteria including activation of the first bonus feature. The second bonus feature has a second bonus payback percentage higher than the first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises displaying a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, and in response to at least one triggering event associated with the first and the second bonus features, conducting the first or second bonus feature if the first and second bonus feature is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Robert L. Kyte, Michael W. Mastropietro, Jeremie D. Moll, Matthew J. Ward, Peter R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9536372
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include electronically connecting to social network servers for independent online social networks. The social networks provide social network accounts logged on to one or more of the social network servers. The gaming server hosts an online communal wagering game. The operations can further include initiating, based on one or more criterion associated with the communal wagering game, an automatic search across the social network servers for a set of the social network accounts that satisfy the one or more criterion. The operations can further include electronically transmitting, based on search results, an electronic invitation to the set of social network user accounts to participate in the communal wagering game. The operations can further include electronically linking ones of the set of the social network user accounts that respond to the electronic invitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Allen, Brian J. Barclay, Mark B. Gagner, Andrew C. Guinn
  • Patent number: 9536390
    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: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    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: 9520024
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game network the supports a plurality of award types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas