Patents by Inventor Norman C. Gilman

Norman C. Gilman 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: 8020866
    Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Andrew P. Golden, Russell Pratt Sammon, Norman C. Gilman
  • Patent number: 8012013
    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: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    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: 7934990
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stephen C. Tulley, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman
  • Publication number: 20110073646
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a game presentation such as a virtual slot machine may be displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: WALKER DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Norman C. Gilman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Keith Bemer, Andrew P. Golden, Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 7914375
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Patent number: 7874914
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player device. The information is presented to a player via the player device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Patent number: 7862416
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player device. The information is presented to a player via the player device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Publication number: 20100331068
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player's credit account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Patent number: 7845555
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a game presentation such as a virtual slot machine is displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal. The game presentation includes images of products for which product identifying codes are entered at the POS terminal. The game presentation indicates to a customer an outcome of a random process pursuant to which the customer may be awarded a benefit such as a free product, a discount on a product selected for purchase, a coupon or an upsell offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Norman C. Gilman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Keith Bemer, Andrew P. Golden, Dean P. Alderucci
  • Publication number: 20100267440
    Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Andrew P. Golden, Russell Pratt Sammon, Norman C. Gilman
  • Publication number: 20100228606
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20100227684
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20100227664
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20100227683
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Publication number: 20100185523
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, JR., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Patrick J. Buckley, Peter J. Vogel, Magdalena M. Fincham, Norman C. Gilman, Keith Bemer, Russell Pratt Sammon, William P. Van Vooren, Andrew P. Golden, Michael F. Steib
  • Patent number: 7753789
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Norman C. Gilman, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 7726655
    Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Andrew P. Golden, Russell Pratt Sammon, Norman C. Gilman
  • Patent number: 7722455
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, Jr., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Patrick J. Buckley, Peter J. Vogel, Magdalena M. Fincham, Norman C. Gilman, Keith Bemer, Russell Pratt Sammon, William P. Van Vooren, Andrew P. Golden, Michael F. Steib
  • Patent number: 7704139
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, Jr., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Patrick J. Buckley, Peter J. Vogel, Magdalena M. Fincham, Norman C. Gilman, Keith Bemer, Russell Pratt Sammon, William P. Van Vooren, Andrew P. Golden, Michael F. Steib
  • Patent number: 7690980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, Jr., James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Patrick J. Buckley, Peter J. Vogel, Magdalena M. Fincham, Norman C. Gilman, Keith Bemer, Russell Pratt Sammon, William P. Van Vooren, Andrew P. Golden, Michael F. Steib