Patents by Inventor Michael D. Downs

Michael D. Downs 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: 9978210
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 9679439
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices are presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may facilitate an offer engine for providing one or more offers to a user of the gaming device, wherein an offer comprises an offer for a payment to be made to the user in exchange for an action by the user, wherein the one or more offers are distinct from indications of awards the user may qualify for during play of a game playable via the gaming device. In one embodiment the methods and apparatus may provide for determining whether to adjust the first feature based on the measure of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INVENTOR HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Scott T. Friesen, Michael D. Downs, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20150206390
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 9011231
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 9005012
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 8998700
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20140324564
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the teransaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20140309018
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices are presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may facilitate an offer engine for providing one or more offers to a user of the gaming device, wherein an offer comprises an offer for a payment to be made to the user in exchange for an action by the user, wherein the one or more offers are distinct from indications of awards the user may qualify for during play of a game playable via the gaming device. In one embodiment the methods and apparatus may provide for determining whether to adjust the first feature based on the measure of performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: INVENTOR HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Scott T. Friesen, Michael D. Downs, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 8781893
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 8734233
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Scott T. Friesen, Michael D. Downs, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 8690662
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for determining a first payout to potentially be provided for a current game play of a gaming device, wherein the gaming device is operable to facilitate a wagering game and providing the first payout only upon the satisfaction of a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions may comprise, for example, (i) indicia indicative of the first payout being disposed along a payline of the gaming device, wherein the payline is a component of a first display area of the gaming device, and (ii) a characteristic of audio/video content associated with the current game play satisfying a requirement for providing the first payout, wherein the audio/video content is output via a second display area of the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert C. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 8632005
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide for detecting a physical change (e.g., via a sensor of a transaction card), and, in response to detecting the physical change, producing an output signal promoting use of a financial account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, Magdalena M. Fincham, James A. Jorasch, Michael D. Downs, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 8480486
    Abstract: A customer may be permitted to use a gaming device such as a slot machine to manage various transactions related to a hotel, such as checking in and/or checking out of the customer's room at the hotel. A customer may receive a benefit in exchange for using a gaming device for a transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Scott T. Friesen, Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 8423400
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20130005445
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon, Scott T. Friesen, Michael D. Downs, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20120286035
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide for detecting a physical change (e.g., via a sensor of a transaction card), and, in response to detecting the physical change, producing an output signal promoting use of a financial account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, Magdalena M. Fincham, James A. Jorasch, Michael D. Downs, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 8202157
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for determining a first gaming session; determining a rank of the first gaming session; determining at least one gaming session, each at least one gaming session of the first set having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session, determining data corresponding to the at least one gaming session; determining at least one bonus based on the data; and applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Packes, Jr., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20120136711
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Patent number: 8126771
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
  • Publication number: 20110287827
    Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Scott T. Friesen, Stephen C. Tulley, Norman C. Gilman, Daniel E. Tedesco, Michael D. Downs