Patents by Inventor Noel S. Steere

Noel S. Steere 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: 8876592
    Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game includes a first gaming terminal and a second gaming terminal. The gaming system includes at least two input devices, at least two display devices and at least one processor. The processor operates to display primary wagering games to the first and second gaming terminals in response to receiving one or more wagers at the respective gaming terminals. A first perceived-value enhancement is displayed to the first gaming terminal. The first perceived-value enhancement is active for a first limited period of time and is capable of enhancing a subsequent bonus event. A bonus event is triggered and provided to at least one of the first and second gaming terminals. An enhanced bonus event is provided to the first gaming terminal in response to the bonus event triggered for the first gaming terminal while the first perceived-value enhancement is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie, Dion K. Aoki, Dylan B. Selegue, Noel S. Steere, Robin L. Littleworth
  • Patent number: 8834254
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, wirelessly, an identifier associated with a portable wireless device. In some embodiments, the identifier is assigned to a wagering game player account. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the wagering game player account, via a wagering game machine, in response to detecting the identifier. The operations can further include detecting, wirelessly, a use of the portable wireless device in response to player input via the portable wireless device and, based on the use of the portable wireless device, authorizing initiation of the wagering game session and/or performing one or more activities via a wagering game application during the wagering game session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
  • Patent number: 8672744
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining, at a wagering game server, player account information associated with a plurality of players that are logged in at one or more predefined wagering game machines. The operations can also include determining a level of social interactivity to provide during game play to the plurality of players based, at least in part, on the player account information associated with the plurality of players. The operations can further include determining that a current level of social interactivity being provided during game play to the plurality of players is different than the level of social interactivity associated with the player account information, and dynamically changing a configuration of the one or more predefined wagering game machines to provide to the plurality of players the level of social interactivity associated with the player account information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Andrew C. Guinn, Scott A. Massing, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20130252714
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, wirelessly, an identifier associated with a portable wireless device. In some embodiments, the identifier is assigned to a wagering game player account. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the wagering game player account, via a wagering game machine, in response to detecting the identifier. The operations can further include detecting, wirelessly, a use of the portable wireless device in response to player input via the portable wireless device and, based on the use of the portable wireless device, authorizing initiation of the wagering game session and/or performing one or more activities via a wagering game application during the wagering game session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, James J. Getz, Erhard W. Rathsack, Pamela S. Smith, Noel S. Steere
  • Patent number: 8303393
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one display configured to display a plurality of symbols positions. The plurality of symbol positions are configured to display symbols indicative of a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in relation to a plurality of paylines. The gaming system further includes a controller configured to award an award for any winning outcome occurring along a payline and to add a number of winning paylines to a counter configured to track a number of winning paylines. The controller is further configured, in response to a number of winning paylines in the counter exceeding a predetermined threshold number, to activate a game feature in which a second award is awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20120258790
    Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game includes a first gaming terminal and a second gaming terminal. The gaming system includes at least two input devices, at least two display devices and at least one processor. At least one memory device stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least two display devices and the at least two input devices. The processor operates to display primary wagering games to the first and second gaming terminals in response to receiving one or more wagers at the respective gaming terminals. A first perceived-value enhancement is displayed to the first gaming terminal. The first perceived-value enhancement is active for a first limited period of time and is capable of enhancing a subsequent bonus event. A bonus event is triggered and provided to at least one of the first and second gaming terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Daniel P. Louie, Dion K. Aoki, Dylan B. Selegue, Noel S. Steere, Robin L. Littleworth
  • Patent number: 8177621
    Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a basic wagering game and a bonus wagering game. The bonus wagering game has a skill-based component that involves skill and a random component where no skill is involved. The gaming machine uses the random component to compensate players for a lack of optimal play during the skill-based component. The compensation is provided in a manner that appears random to the players to prevent the players from intentionally playing for the compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20100248811
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one display configured to display a plurality of symbols positions. The plurality of symbol positions are configured to display symbols indicative of a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in relation to a plurality of paylines. The gaming system further includes a controller configured to award an award for any winning outcome occurring along a payline and to add a number of winning paylines to a counter configured to track a number of winning paylines. The controller is further configured, in response to a number of winning paylines in the counter exceeding a predetermined threshold number, to activate a game feature in which a second award is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: WMS GAMNG INC.
    Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe, Noel S. Steere