Patents by Inventor Mark C. Pace
Mark C. Pace 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).
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Patent number: 10403081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9536390Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9520024Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game network the supports a plurality of award types.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 9454871Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations including receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the multiple applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 9443385Abstract: “Described herein are processes and devices that perform operations that, in some embodiments, include receiving a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine. The first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, and the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds associated with the first wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Timothy F. Dinovo, Magesh Gangadharan, Jacek A. Grabiec, James S. Halprin, Mark C. Pace, Jacqueline F. Parra, David M. Pryor, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9430899Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Publication number: 20160171831Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game network the supports a plurality of award types.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 9336649Abstract: In some embodiments, a method including determining a first wagering game content and a second wagering game content, wherein the first wagering game content is related to a first wagering game, and wherein the second wagering game content is related to a second wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on priority rules, a first display priority for the first wagering game content, and a second display priority for the second wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the first display priority, the first wagering game content. The method can also include presenting, based on the second display priority, the second wagering game content after the presenting of the first wagering game content, and detecting player inputs. The method can also include assigning priority values to the player inputs, and responding to the player inputs in an order related to the priority values.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Vijay K. Agarwal, Dale R. Buchholz, Mary M. Burke, Timothy F. Dinovo, Magesh Gangadharan, Jacek A. Grabiec, James S. Halprin, Mark C. Pace, Jacqueline F. Parra, David M. Pryor, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 9269230Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method comprising determining, by a wagering game unit of a wagering game machine, a result of a wagering game. The method can also include requesting, over a network by an award system unit of the wagering game machine, awards of a first award type be added to an electronic player account based on the result of the wagering game. The method can include receiving, by the award system unit, electronic input requesting to exchange the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for awards of a second award type. The method can include requesting, over the network by the award system unit, exchange of the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for the awards of the second award type.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20160012661Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 9202334Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring, at a wagering game machine, base wagering game activity associated with one or more base wagering games that are presented during a wagering game session. The operations can also include generating and transmitting one or more activity notification messages comprising at least an indication of the base wagering game activity to a player tracking server to cause the player tracking server to reward the base wagering game activity. The operations can further include generating and transmitting login and logout notification messages to a secondary game server to cause the secondary game server to determine secondary wagering game activity associated with one or more secondary wagering games presented during the wagering game session. The secondary wagering game activity can be used by the player tracking server to reward the secondary wagering game activity.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Daniel P. Louie, James E. Oatman, Mark C. Pace, Erhard W. Rathsack, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
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Publication number: 20150262451Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include determining, via an electronic presentation controller, that a first presentation priority of the first content exceeds a second presentation priority of the second content for presentation via an electronic output device of the wagering game system. The operations can further include analyzing, via the electronic presentation controller, presentation criteria associated with one or more of the first gaming application or the second gaming application. The operations can further include electronically modifying, via the electronic presentation controller, a presentation setting of the second content in response to determining, based on the analyzing of the presentation criteria, that modifying the presentation setting would cause the second presentation priority to increase.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Publication number: 20150199866Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Patent number: 9058724Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include obtaining data provided from a first application. In some examples, the first application is a wagering game application presented on a wagering game machine. The operations can also include determining a subscription level associated with a second application. The subscription level indicates access to the data from the first application. Further, the operations can also include, providing a service to the second application. In some examples, the service is one of a plurality of tiers of services that correspond to the subscription level. In some examples, the service has one of a plurality of degrees of access to the data from the first application according to the subscription level.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 9033791Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Paul A. Quaglia, Scot W. Salzman, Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Mark C. Pace
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Patent number: 8968080Abstract: In some embodiments, a computerized method includes: creating a number of frames of images for displaying on a monitor of a wagering game machine; and selecting at least a subset of the number of frames. The method can also include performing pixel encoding in the images of the subset of the number of frames, where the pixel encoding is used to identify at least one of adding third party content to the images. The method can also include replacing the images with the third party content, where the adding of the third party content and replacing with the third party content occurs after creating the frame but prior to the displaying the frame on the monitor of the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the number of frames of images to the monitor of the wagering game machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Bruce H. Blair, John M. Burica, Mark B. Gagner, Vernon W. Hamlin, Michael J. Irby, Timothy C. Loose, Scott M. Minch, Mark C. Pace, Eugene M. Rigsby, Craig J. Sylla, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140378216Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method comprising determining, by a wagering game unit of a wagering game machine, a result of a wagering game. The method can also include requesting, over a network by an award system unit of the wagering game machine, awards of a first award type be added to an electronic player account based on the result of the wagering game. The method can include receiving, by the award system unit, electronic input requesting to exchange the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for awards of a second award type. The method can include requesting, over the network by the award system unit, exchange of the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for the awards of the second award type.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140287834Abstract: A method includes presenting, by at least one processor, a configuration interface to enable creation of a presentation template. The method includes defining a number of presentation areas in the presentation template. The method includes defining a configuration setting for at least a first presentation area of the number of presentation areas, wherein the configuration setting limits a content type that is to be displayed in the first presentation area and defines a display location where the presentation area is positioned. At least one content of a number of content to be displayed in the number of presentation areas comprises wagering game play. The method includes storing, in a machine-readable medium, the presentation template.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Dale R. Buchholz, Mark C. Pace, Vikram Swamy
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Patent number: 8827801Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include detecting, by one or more processors, one or more events of a first event type, a second event type, and a third event type. Embodiments further include, in response to the detecting the one or more events of the first event type, the second event type, and the third event type, determining, by the one or more processors, non-cash awards of a first award type, second award type, and third award type, respectively, to provide to the player.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Shridhar P. Joshi, Mark C. Pace, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20140243099Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s?) configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s?) performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Vernon W. Hamlin, Craig J. Sylla, Paul A. Quaglia, Scot W. Salzman, Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Mark C. Pace