Patents by Inventor Mark E. Herrmann

Mark E. Herrmann 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: 20100062840
    Abstract: Social networking functions may be provided in systems implemented in a gaming setting which uses information relating to players. In one implementation, a social network is provided that revolves around real-world gaming that takes place within a lawful gaming establishment. Gaming establishments accept wagers from players to play different types of games, including pure games of chance (e.g., video slots, video poker, etc.), table games, and other games involving various levels of skill. Because social networks are not designed for the gaming experience, one that integrates with the gaming and environment provides many benefits to both the player and the gaming establishment. In some implementations, such a social network may encompass the casino management network (e.g., a server-based gaming system), the players' computer at home, a mobile device (e.g., a PDA, cell phone, etc.) and/or any other Internet-enabled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Mark E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7666084
    Abstract: A game of chance is provided in which a predetermined fixed number of winning cell content drawn from a predetermined set of cell content. The drawn content is matched to the content on game cards and if the matched game card content covers a predetermined winning pattern then the game card is a winner. In one example, numerous winners may occur per game session because the game continues until the predetermined fixed number of winning cell content is drawn and not until a win occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GameLogic Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 7666082
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a slot machine game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GameLogic Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
  • Publication number: 20100029376
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. One aspect relates to accumulating outcomes. Another relates to incentives provided to player program member(s). In some embodiments, the person does not need to be qualified. In one embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location, in another at a redemption location. In one embodiment, a player is required to take an action in order to redeem an outcome. In some embodiments, game play and/or redemption and/or any action must occur in a specified time, respectively. In one embodiment the electronic game is not located at a gambling location, in another it is not located at a redemption location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Nathan Short, Peter D. Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20100016069
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play in a multiplayer game which has a stated jackpot award. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to accept the invitation at a gambling location. According to one embodiment, a player may be required to maintain their qualified status through play of games at the gambling location. According to another embodiment, the multiplayer game is capable of accommodating an almost unlimited number of players. In one example, the multiplayer game is a bingo game with a large number of participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Mark E. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20090291750
    Abstract: A method for brokering a game using a computer system is provided. The method includes act of configuring, by the computer system, at least one of a plurality of games to match a set of preferences gathered from a plurality of players, specifying at least one qualification criterion for entry into the at least one of the plurality of games, entering, by the computer system, at least one player having the at least one qualification criterion into the at least one of the plurality of games, receiving, by the computer system, at least one winner of the at least one of the plurality of games, storing information regarding the at least one winner on the data storage, receiving, by the computer system, authorization to reward the at least one winner and providing, to the at least one winner, access to at least one reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: GAMELOGIC INC.
    Inventor: Mark E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7623844
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems for and methods of authentication of a program user. More particularly, winning players of an interactive game program call a randomly selected phone number or access a randomly selected website that is displayed to them and additionally enter a randomly generated code also displayed to the viewer that a computer system then compares against its database and determines if the player is authentic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: GameLogic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 7610486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and systems for providing conditional access to electronic content. Electronic content is provided to a user along with authorization information. The electronic content may be transmitted to the user, and the user may use the authorization information to access the electronic content. An authorization code may be provided to the user such that the user may be granted access to the content based on a comparison of the provided authorization code and a second authorization code transmitted with the electronic content, and transmission of the second authorization code may be controlled by a content provider to control access by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: GameLogic Inc
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Publication number: 20090191962
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, John F. Acres, Steven N. Kane
  • Publication number: 20090176564
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090176578
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090176560
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090176579
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090176580
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170611
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170608
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170612
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170610
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170614
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger
  • Publication number: 20090170613
    Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Dow K. Hardy, John F. Acres, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Francis Josef Lichtenberger