Patents by Inventor Martin R. Ugarte, JR.

Martin R. Ugarte, JR. 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: 10269207
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations include receiving from a first device, via a first network, data associated with a gaming light effect. The operations can further include determining, from analysis of the data via one or more processors of a second device, that a third device is associated with the gaming light effect. In some instances, the second device is connected to the third device via a second network separate from the first network. The operations can further include generating, via the one or more processors of the second device, instructions about the gaming light effect based on the data. The operations can further include transmitting, via a communications network interface of the second device, the instructions from the second device, via the second network, to the third device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 10134225
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180225913
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations include receiving from a first device, via a first network, data associated with a gaming light effect. The operations can further include determining, from analysis of the data via one or more processors of a second device, that a third device is associated with the gaming light effect. In some instances, the second device is connected to the third device via a second network separate from the first network. The operations can further include generating, via the one or more processors of the second device, instructions about the gaming light effect based on the data. The operations can further include transmitting, via a communications network interface of the second device, the instructions from the second device, via the second network, to the third device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 10002491
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a bank gaming effect for presentation on a bank of content presentation devices. The bank of content presentation devices can be associated with a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include receiving presentation status information for the bank of content presentation devices. The presentation status information can indicate one or more events that affect a state of availability of each of the bank of content presentation devices to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can further include determining, based on the presentation status information, one content presentation device, from the bank of content presentation devices, that is ineligible to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can also include excluding the one content presentation device from participation in the bank gaming effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 9520018
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations which can include analyzing electronic information associated with a first gaming effect and a second gaming effect provided for concurrent presentation via an output device, determining that the first gaming effect has a higher priority than the second gaming effect, and causing the first gaming effect to be presented via the output device before the second gaming effect is presented based on the higher priority. The operations can further include preventing, without user input, presentation of a first portion of the second amine effect via the output device while the first gaming effect is presented. The operations can further include electronically determining that a second portion of the second gaming effect is available for presentation after an ending point for the first gaming effect, and causing the second portion to be presented via the output device after the first gaming effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
  • Publication number: 20160292955
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations include receiving from a first device, via a first network, data associated with a gaming light effect. The operations can further include determining, from analysis of the data via one or more processors of a second device, that a third device is associated with the gaming light effect. In some instances, the second device is connected to the third device via a second network separate from the first network. The operations can further include generating, via the one or more processors of the second device, instructions about the gaming light effect based on the data. The operations can further include transmitting, via a communications network interface of the second device, the instructions from the second device, via the second network, to the third device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 9235962
    Abstract: Systems and operations for a distributed bonus game feature for wagering game systems are disclosed. In one example, a wagering game may award a bonus game to a player. A delay period is set for the bonus game. The delay period and other details regarding the bonus game are persistently stored on a paper ticket or in a database on a wagering game server. The bonus game may be initiated (after the delay period) on a different wagering game machine than the machine that awarded the bonus game. In a second example, funding for a bonus game for a player may be determined in accordance with a random number generator on a wagering game machine currently occupied by a player. If the player moves to a different machine, output from a random number generator on the new machine may be used to determine continued funding for the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150339885
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.
  • Patent number: 9098967
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150194019
    Abstract: Systems and operations for a distributed bonus game feature for wagering game systems are disclosed. In one example, a wagering game may award a bonus game to a player. A delay period is set for the bonus game. The delay period and other details regarding the bonus game are persistently stored on a paper ticket or in a database on a wagering game server. The bonus game may be initiated (after the delay period) on a different wagering game machine than the machine that awarded the bonus game. In a second example, funding for a bonus game for a player may be determined in accordance with a random number generator on a wagering game machine currently occupied by a player. If the player moves to a different machine, output from a random number generator on the new machine may be used to determine continued funding for the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150148134
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Muthu Velu
  • Patent number: 9011247
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting coordinated wagering game light and sound effects across multiple presentation devices in a casino. In some embodiments, the operations can trigger wagering game audio effects from lighting commands produced by network lighting controllers. The triggered audio can match characteristics of the light effects. The operations can include receiving, at a casino content presentation device, lighting data from a network lighting controller. The casino content presentation device associates the lighting data with a light effect and determines a sound effect, coupled with, or tied to, to, the light effect. The operations can further include presenting the sound effect on speakers associated with the casino content presentation device, and across other casino content presentation devices in the casino, as part of a casino-wide, synchronized, multi-media show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8821286
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a motion sensing controller, two calibration wireless transmissions that were transmitted from two different wireless emitters that are fixedly positioned to two different components of a wagering game system during calibration. The method includes receiving, by the motion sensing controller, two gameplay wireless transmissions that was transmitted from the two different wireless emitters for tracking of the wagering game play of the wagering game. The method includes determining a calibration movement difference between the two calibration wireless transmissions and determining a gameplay movement difference between the two gameplay wireless transmissions. In response to the calibration movement difference and the gameplay movement difference being unequal, outputting an indicator of at least one of a component movement and distortion of one of the two different gameplay transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Nickey C. Shin, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120178523
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a bank gaming effect for presentation on a bank of content presentation devices. The bank of content presentation devices can be associated with a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include receiving presentation status information for the bank of content presentation devices. The presentation status information can indicate one or more events that affect a state of availability of each of the bank of content presentation devices to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can further include determining, based on the presentation status information, one content presentation device, from the bank of content presentation devices, that is ineligible to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can also include excluding the one content presentation device from participation in the bank gaming effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Muthu Velu
  • Publication number: 20120129601
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting coordinated wagering game light and sound effects across multiple presentation devices in a casino. In some embodiments, the operations can trigger wagering game audio effects from lighting commands produced by network lighting controllers. The triggered audio can match characteristics of the light effects. The operations can include receiving, at a casino content presentation device, lighting data from a network lighting controller. The casino content presentation device associates the lighting data with a light effect and determines a sound effect, coupled with, or tied to, to, the light effect. The operations can further include presenting the sound effect on speakers associated with the casino content presentation device, and across other casino content presentation devices in the casino, as part of a casino-wide, synchronized, multi-media show.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Steven J. Zoloto
  • Publication number: 20110115413
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include configuring a casino light show on a light show design map using lighting device objects that correlate to lighting hardware devices in a casino. The lighting hardware devices can present light effects using different lighting control formats. The operations can further include configuring the light effects for the lighting device objects, and generating lighting control instructions in a common data format. The operations can further include converting the lighting control instructions to individual sets of lighting control instructions that comply with the different lighting control formats. The operations can further use the sets of lighting control instructions to present the light effects on the lighting hardware devices according to the different lighting control formats required by the lighting hardware devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, John L. Griffin, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Sean P. Kelly, David M. Pryor, Alfred Thomas, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.