Patents by Inventor Michael R. Pace
Michael R. 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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Publication number: 20230005324Abstract: Systems and methods for a skill-based games are provided with the present disclosure. A plurality of targets each are displayed and moved about a playfield shown on a display of an amusement system according to one or more non-random, learnable sequences or patterns. Upon receipt of an input at one or more of player controls of a player station of the amusement system, a game play is initiated and an object is directed along the playfield from the player station. If the object engages a target of the plurality of targets, the game play is ended and it is determined whether a threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. An award is distributed to the player station if the threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. Other aspects also are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: G. Lee Wesson, Michael R. Pace, Ian Fisch, Christopher A. Cummings
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Patent number: 11450172Abstract: Systems and methods for a skill-based games are provided with the present disclosure. A plurality of targets each are displayed and moved about a playfield shown on a display of an amusement system according to one or more non-random, learnable sequences or patterns. Upon receipt of an input at one or more of player controls of a player station of the amusement system, a game play is initiated and an object is directed along the playfield from the player station. If the object engages a target of the plurality of targets, the game play is ended and it is determined whether a threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. An award is distributed to the player station if the threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. Other aspects also are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: KEEN DOG, LLCInventors: G. Lee Wesson, Michael R. Pace, Ian Fisch, Christopher A. Cummings
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Patent number: 11062557Abstract: According to aspects of this disclosure, a method, system, and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal can be provided. A game operator can be enabled to select a series of play levels that can be selected by a user for play of at least one electronic game on the electronic game terminal. The at least one electronic game can include a plurality of play levels that can be selected by a player. Further, a field can be constructed that has a plurality of elements for a game display by an electronic game processor, and each element can be filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols. The game symbols for each element can be automatically determined for each play of the game such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. Other aspects also are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Savvy Dog Systems, LLCInventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20200302739Abstract: Systems and methods for a skill-based games are provided with the present disclosure. A plurality of targets each are displayed and moved about a playfield shown on a display of an amusement system according to one or more non-random, learnable sequences or patterns. Upon receipt of an input at one or more of player controls of a player station of the amusement system, a game play is initiated and an object is directed along the playfield from the player station. If the object engages a target of the plurality of targets, the game play is ended and it is determined whether a threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. An award is distributed to the player station if the threshold criterion for obtainment of the target has been met. Other aspects also are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: G. Lee Wesson, Michael R. Pace, Ian Fisch, Christopher A. Cummings, Nancy Bennett
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Publication number: 20190206186Abstract: According to aspects of this disclosure, a method, system, and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal can be provided. A game operator can be enabled to select a series of play levels that can be selected by a user for play of at least one electronic game on the electronic game terminal. The at least one electronic game can include a plurality of play levels that can be selected by a player. Further, a field can be constructed that has a plurality of elements for a game display by an electronic game processor, and each element can be filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols. The game symbols for each element can be automatically determined for each play of the game such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. Other aspects also are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 10204482Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal for the play of licensed electronic games. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Savvy Dog Systems, LLCInventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20170161990Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal for the play of licensed electronic games. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 9501896Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal for the play of licensed electronic games. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20150119133Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal for the play of licensed electronic games. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 8920231Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 8469792Abstract: An electronic gaming method, system and program product for controlling the time a player has in which to play an electronic game based on the potential winnings available for the electronic game. A game field is constructed having a plurality of elements on a game display wherein each element is filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols. The game symbols for each element are automatically determined such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. A maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination for the constructed field is determined. The field of game symbols is presented to the player on the game display. A game timer is initiated that varies with the maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination. The player selects a field element to turn the symbol displayed into a wild symbol.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 8118660Abstract: A system and method for controlling the number of plays of an electronic game based on the different denominations at which the electronic game can be played. A game field is constructed having a plurality of elements on a game display wherein each element is filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols, wherein the game symbols for each element are automatically determined such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. The field of game symbols is presented to the player for selection of a field element wherein such player selection turns the symbol displayed in the field element into a wild symbol. The player's selection of the field element for the wild symbol location is received by the game software which determines each winning combination of symbols that is formed by such wild symbol location selection. Each winning combination of symbols on the field of game symbols is displayed to the player.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Patent number: 7736223Abstract: An electronic gaming method and system with a game preview display. A field of game symbols is presented on the game display to the player as a preview for deciding whether or not to play the displayed game. If the player decides to play the game, the player selects a field element to turn the symbol displayed into a wild symbol. The player's selection of the field element for the wild symbol location is received by the game software which determines and displays each winning combination of symbols that is formed by such wild symbol location selection. A new game field can then be constructed and previewed on the game display.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20100105472Abstract: An electronic gaming method, system and program product for controlling the time a player has in which to play an electronic game based on the potential winnings available for the electronic game. A game field is constructed having a plurality of elements on a game display wherein each element is filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols. The game symbols for each element are automatically determined such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. A maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination for the constructed field is determined. The field of game symbols is presented to the player on the game display. A game timer is initiated that varies with the maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination. The player selects a field element to turn the symbol displayed into a wild symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20070232387Abstract: An electronic gaming method, system and program product for controlling the time a player has in which to play an electronic game based on the potential winnings available for the electronic game. A game field is constructed having a plurality of elements on a game display wherein each element is filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols. The game symbols for each element are automatically determined such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. A maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination for the constructed field is determined. The field of game symbols is presented to the player on the game display. A game timer is initiated that varies with the maximum value that can be obtained for a winning combination. The player selects a field element to turn the symbol displayed into a wild symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventor: Michael R. Pace
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Publication number: 20070232392Abstract: A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventor: Michael R. Pace