Patents by Inventor Michael C. Lightman

Michael C. Lightman 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: 9324213
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8821295
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8784185
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140087811
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8597109
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, Jr., Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
  • Publication number: 20130244746
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr., Matthew S. Ross
  • Publication number: 20130225283
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR.
  • Patent number: 8435119
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K Hardy, Mark E Herrmann, Francis J Lichtenberger, Scott N Weller, Michael C Lightman, John E Taylor, Jr., Matthew S Ross
  • Patent number: 8398479
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110092267
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry to into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR., Matthew S. Ross
  • Publication number: 20110081958
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to combine a gambling establishment player club with one or more second chance games. Players are thereby given multiple opportunities and incentives to interact with the gambling establishment and player club. The gambling establishment is thereby able to gather valuable player data, build player profiles, and incentivize players to take actions desired by the gambling establishment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, John E. Taylor, JR., Scott N. Weller, Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Michael C. Lightman, Matthew S. Ross
  • Publication number: 20110053673
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Dow K. Hardy, Francis J. Lichtenberger, Scott N. Weller, Michael C. Lightman, John E. Taylor, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100311496
    Abstract: According to one aspect, provided are systems and methods for generating unrestricted games (e.g. promotional games) that preserve predetermination and/or do not introduce chance elements into the games while at the same time reduce the overhead associated with generating and maintaining entries (i.e. tickets) into the games. As part of systems and methods for creating ticketed entries, values can be assigned to any of one or more of players, game machines, or games. These values can used as unique identifiers. Additionally, information already associated with any one or more of the players, game machines, or games can also be used to generate these values. The values can have static components and can be combined with dynamic components, that can be used individually, separately, or in combination. In one example a predetermined numeric value is used, stored as part of a record. In another, static information can be used to generate the numeric value, or a component of the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: John E. Taylor, Dow K. Hardy, Michael C. Lightman, Peter D. Kovacs, Nathan Short