Patents by Inventor Robert Breckner
Robert Breckner 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: 20080058055Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine is designed to execute a modular gaming software architecture. A plurality of gaming software modules may be loaded into RAM on the gaming machine and executed to play a game of chance. Many of the gaming software modules are designed to communicate via application program interfaces so that the logic in many of the gaming software modules may be designed independently of each other. In particular, the modular gaming software architecture allows a game flow software module used to generate a game of chance on the gaming machine to be decoupled from a game presentation software module used to present the game chance. Thus, a group of games may be designed where the games share a common game flow software module but use different game presentation software modules to change the look and feel of the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: Steven LeMay, Dwayne Nelson, Robert Breckner, Greg Schlottmann, Nicole Beaulieu, Johnny Palchetti, Jamal Benbrahim
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Publication number: 20080045331Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of game outcome presentations derived from one or more virtual 3-D gaming environments stored on the gaming machine. While a game of chance is being played on the gaming machine, two-dimensional images derived from a three-dimensional object in the 3-D gaming environment may be rendered to a display screen on the gaming machine in real-time as part of the game outcome presentation. To add excitement to the game, a 3-D position of the 3-D object and other features of the 3-D gaming environment may be controlled by a game player. Nearly an unlimited variety of virtual objects, such as slot reels, gaming machines and casinos, may be modeled in the 3-D gaming environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: Steven LeMay, Jamal Benbrahim, Richard Rowe, Robert Breckner, Nicole Beaulieu, Greg Schlottmann
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Publication number: 20080020834Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert Breckner, Jamal Benbrahim, James Vasquez, Mark Bansemer, Anthony Baerlocher
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Publication number: 20070207852Abstract: Games may be divided into different portions having differing preservation needs. These different portions may be saved to set locations for set periods of time when a downloaded game that was available on a given gaming terminal must be disabled, removed or otherwise made unavailable on the gaming terminal. The removal process may be automated or controlled remotely, although this is not strictly required. Further, preservation of games may be implemented using directories of the various game components for multiple downloaded games available to a gaming terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: IGTInventors: Dwayne Nelson, Steven LeMay, Robert Breckner, Warner Cockerille, Jamal Benbrahim, Bryan Wolf
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Publication number: 20070191088Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert Breckner, Jamal Benbrahim, James Vasquez, Mark Bansemer, Anthony Baerlocher
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Publication number: 20070067768Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging, distributing, installing, deleting, or updating gaming software is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus of the invention identifies a plurality of files, which may exceed hundreds of files, to be distributed, installed, or provided as updates. The plurality of files are selected and processed into a reduced number of files, often a single file. The single file contains all of the plurality of files and is capable of being further processed to restore the plurality of files and the directory structure of the plurality of files.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: March 22, 2007Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert Breckner, Steven LeMay
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Patent number: 7179169Abstract: A gaming apparatus that comprises a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The controller comprises a processor and a memory that are operatively coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager, and to cause a display portion representing an image of a rotating wheel to be generated on the display unit, wherein the rotating wheel has a section with a symbol displayed thereon. The controller is programmed to cause the symbol image to be displayed in a first orientation relative to the wheel when the wheel lies in a first angular orientation and to cause the symbol image to be adjusted so that the symbol image is displayed in a second orientation that is angularly spaced from the first angular orientation. The controller is also programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game incorporating the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Nicole Beaulieu, Robert Breckner
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Patent number: 7155710Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging, distributing, installing, deleting, or updating gaming software is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus of the invention identifies a plurality of files, which may exceed hundreds of files, to be distributed, installed, or provided as updates. The plurality of files are selected and processed into a reduced number of files, often a single file. The single file contains all of the plurality of files and is capable of being further processed to restore the plurality of files and the directory structure of the plurality of files.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert Breckner, Steven G. LeMay
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Publication number: 20060205513Abstract: Gaming machines and systems having MRAM and MROM are disclosed. MROMs for storing boot programs and other Read Only code are formed by cutting write connections or not providing PCB socket leads to MRAM write pins, or by using memory hubs to prevent writing to MRAMs. A tale-tale board or other logging device monitoring activities at various components while primary machine power is down records to MRAM, which can be dual ported to the logging device and MGC. Various components can each have dedicated logging devices and MRAMs. One MRAM associated with the brain box replaces both DRAM and NVRAM of regular machine architectures, and is used for dual purposes of regular operational use and as safe storage to facilitate a state recovery. Prioritization of data during the storage process is rendered unnecessary. Another MRAM associated with the back plane board stores data associated with the exterior housing or terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: IGTInventors: Robert Breckner, Jamal Benbrahim, Xuedong Chen, Warner Cockerille, Gregory Schlottmann
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Publication number: 20060073869Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals that are each used to generate one or more gaming services. To provide a particular gaming service, each virtual gaming peripheral may comprise virtual gaming peripheral software that controls one or more gaming devices. Examples of gaming services provides by virtual gaming peripherals may include but are not limited to a player tracking service, a vending machine purchase, a lottery ticket purchase, an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) service, a hotel/casino service, a communication service, a registration service, a sports book service, an entertainment service, a prize redemption service and a locator service. A logic device, such as a master gaming controller on the gaming machine, may simultaneously activate a plurality of virtual gaming peripherals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Steven LeMay, Dwayne Nelson, Robert Breckner, Jamal Benbrahim
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Publication number: 20060035713Abstract: Different mechanisms are provided to enable a gaming machine to download files/images, move/copy the files/images from one folder to another without breaking authentication, and resume interrupted file manipulation operations such as move/copy operations and/or download operations which have been interrupted by a power hit. In this way, the technique of the present invention is able to provide a self-diagnostic system for ensuring authenticated, atomic transactions, and for automatically handling detected error conditions. Additionally the technique of the present invention is able to provide a mechanism for seamlessly updating gaming machine components at runtime. This may include, for example, the automatic mounting and/or unmounting of selected games to/from the gaming machine memory during runtime.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Warner Cockerille, Xuedong Chen, Steven LeMay, Robert Breckner, Dwayne Nelson, William Brosnan, Paul Bolton
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Publication number: 20050233799Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of game outcome presentations derived from one or more virtual 3-D gaming environments stored on the gaming machine. While a game of chance is being played on the gaming machine, two-dimensional images derived from a three-dimensional object in the 3-D gaming environment may be rendered to a display screen on the gaming machine in real-time as part of the game outcome presentation. To add excitement to the game, a 3-D position of the 3-D object and other features of the 3-D gaming environment may be controlled by a game player. Nearly an unlimited variety of virtual objects, such as slot reels, gaming machines and casinos, may be modeled in the 3-D gaming environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Steven LeMay, Jamal Benbrahim, Richard Rowe, Robert Breckner, Nicole Beaulieu, Greg Schlottmann
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Publication number: 20050192092Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine is designed to execute a modular gaming software architecture. A plurality of gaming software modules may be loaded into RAM on the gaming machine and executed to play a game of chance. Many of the gaming software modules are designed to communicate via application program interfaces so that the logic in many of the gaming software modules may be designed independently of each other. In particular, the modular gaming software architecture allows presentation state logic to be decoupled from implementations of presentation components, such as graphical, audio and gaming device components, used in a presentation of the game of chance on a gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Robert Breckner, Greg Schlottmann, Nicole Beaulieu, Steven LeMay, Dwayne Nelson, Johnny Palchetti, Jamal Benbrahim
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Publication number: 20050075167Abstract: A gaming machine is described having a gaming controller operable to control one or more games of chance played on the gaming machine. A memory stores 3-D data corresponding to a 3-D gaming environment. Gaming logic renders a plurality of images of the 3-D gaming environment for presentation on the machine's display. The images depict manipulation of one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by a user. A user interface provides user input to facilitate the manipulation of the one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Nicole Beaulieu, Steven LeMay, Johnny Palchetti, Greg Schlottmann, Robert Breckner, John Hostetler
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Publication number: 20050059453Abstract: In a gaming method, a wager may be received from a player via a value input device of a gaming apparatus, and an image representative of a game may be generated for display on a display unit of the gaming apparatus. Compiled code associated with play of the game may be executed using a processor of the apparatus, and the compiled code may include code to read data from a file stored in a memory of the gaming apparatus, wherein the file is separate from the compiled code. First uncompiled instruction data may be read from the file using the compiled code, the first uncompiled instruction data indicative of a request to create a first software object associated with play of the game. The first software object may be created using the compiled code in response to the uncompiled first instruction data. Second uncompiled instruction data may be from the file using the compiled code, the second uncompiled instruction data indicative of a request to create a second software object associated with play of the game.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: Jamal Benbrahim, Robert Breckner, Steven LeMay, Alexey Kryuchkov, Gregory Schlottmann
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Publication number: 20040171417Abstract: A gaming apparatus that comprises a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The controller comprises a processor and a memory that are operatively coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager, and to cause a display portion representing an image of a rotating wheel to be generated on the display unit, wherein the rotating wheel has a section with a symbol displayed thereon. The controller is programmed to cause the symbol image to be displayed in a first orientation relative to the wheel when the wheel lies in a first angular orientation and to cause the symbol image to be adjusted so that the symbol image is displayed in a second orientation that is angularly spaced from the first angular orientation. The controller is also programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game incorporating the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Nicole Beaulieu, Robert Breckner
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Publication number: 20040132532Abstract: Open architecture communication systems and methods are provided that allow flexible data transmission between gaming machines and other devices and nodes within a gaming machine network. The gaming machine and other devices employ a communication interface that sends and receives data via a common communication protocol and via common communication hardware. The communication interface and common communication protocol allow data transfer between gaming machines and other network nodes such as gaming service servers, despite the presence of different proprietary gaming machine functions and proprietary communication protocols and despite the presence of various proprietary hardware and proprietary communication protocols relied on by the servers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: IGTInventors: William R. Brosnan, Steven G. LeMay, Warner Cockerille, Dwayne Nelson, Robert Breckner
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Publication number: 20040068654Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus of verifying the authenticity of gaming software stored in and executed from RAM on the gaming machine. When presenting a game on the gaming machine, a master gaming controller may dynamically load gaming software applications into RAM and dynamically unload gaming software applications from RAM. The authenticity of the gaming software applications temporarily stored in RAM may be verified by using methods to compare it with certified gaming software stored on one or more local or remote file storage devices accessible to the master gaming controller on the gaming machine. The verification process may be used to satisfy gaming regulatory entities within various gaming jurisdictions that require certified gaming software to be operating on the gaming machine at all times as well as to prevent tampering with the gaming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2003Publication date: April 8, 2004Applicant: IGTInventors: Warner Cockerille, Steven G. LeMay, Robert Breckner
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Patent number: 6685567Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus of verifying the authenticity of gaming software stored in and executed from RAM on the gaming machine. When presenting a game on the gaming machine, a master gaming controller may dynamically load gaming software applications into RAM and dynamically unload gaming software applications from RAM. The authenticity of the gaming software applications temporarily stored in RAM may be verified by using methods to compare it with certified gaming software stored on one or more local or remote file storage devices accessible to the master gaming controller on the gaming machine. The verification process may be used to satisfy gaming regulatory entities within various gaming jurisdictions that require certified gaming software to be operating on the gaming machine at all times as well as to prevent tampering with the gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: Warner Cockerille, Steven G. LeMay, Robert Breckner
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Patent number: 6682423Abstract: Open architecture communication systems and methods are provided that allow flexible data transmission between gaming machines and other devices and nodes within a gaming machine network. The gaming machine and other devices employ a communication interface that sends and receives data via a common communication protocol and via common communication hardware. The communication interface and common communication protocol allow data transfer between gaming machines and other network nodes such as gaming service servers, despite the presence of different proprietary gaming machine functions and proprietary communication protocols and despite the presence of various proprietary hardware and proprietary communication protocols relied on by the servers.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: William R. Brosnan, Steven G. LeMay, Warner Cockerille, Dwayne Nelson, Robert Breckner