Patents by Inventor Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson 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: 9652934
    Abstract: A modified gaming machine includes a plurality of gaming machine peripheral devices for use in implementing one or more games to a player, and a master gaming controller configured to implement primary gaming machine functionality, including generating and transmitting information to the plurality of gaming machine peripherals. The modified gaming machine further comprises a secondary controller interposed between one or more of the plurality of gaming machine peripheral devices and the master gaming controller, whereby the secondary controller may forward information generated by the master gaming controller to the gaming machine peripheral devices and transmit secondary information to the peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Sam Johnson, Chad Ryan, Bradley G. Ward
  • Patent number: 9646408
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of generating a three dimensional representation of a subject from a depth image, comprises comparing a depth image of the subject with a plurality of representative images, wherein each representative image is associated with a respective parametric model of a subject; identifying a representative image of the plurality of representative images as a closest representative image to the depth image of the subject; selecting the parametric model associated with the closest representative image to the depth image; and generating a three dimensional representation of the subject by fitting the selected parametric model to the depth image of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Sam Johnson, Frank Perbet, Bjorn Stenger, Minh-Tri Pham, Oliver Woodford, Riccardo Gherardi, Roberto Cipolla
  • Patent number: 9640031
    Abstract: A player reservation feature is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The player reservation feature may be accessed at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The gaming machine is locked and unavailable for play except by the player that made the reservation. Reserving a gaming machine may be free, or a fee may be accessed for a reservation. Where a fee is assessed, the fee may be waived for a reserving player. Where the reservation feature is being accessed remotely, a casino floor map may be displayed at the device that is being used, such as another casino machine, smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, along with information about each gaming machine on the casino floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9633508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to define promotional events for the particular machines or systems, monitor the activity of the particular machines or systems, and grant awards. More specifically, the promotional events may include scheduling information, winning criteria and awards. During the period of time that the promotional event is active, the activity of the machine or system is monitored to determine if the winning criteria has been satisfied. If the winning criteria are satisfied, information pertaining to event is recorded. The present invention is applicable to a variety of embodiments including video poker machines, black jack machines or other gaming and gambling machines, as well as other systems that include a display mechanism and an activity that can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9600965
    Abstract: A modified gaming machine includes a plurality of gaming machine peripheral devices for use in implementing one or more games to a player, and a master gaming controller configured to implement primary gaming machine functionality, including generating and transmitting information to the plurality of gaming machine peripherals. The modified gaming machine further comprises a secondary controller interposed between one or more of the plurality of gaming machine peripheral devices and the master gaming controller, whereby the secondary controller may forward information generated by the master gaming controller to the gaming machine peripheral devices and transmit secondary information to the peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Sam Johnson, Chad Ryan, Bradley G. Ward
  • Publication number: 20170076550
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine (26) by a secondary controller (200) of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone (28), tablet, personal computer (32), and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9582963
    Abstract: A gaming machine has a main or master gaming controller. Primary gaming machine accounting is performed by the master gaming controller in communication with a casino accounting system. A secondary controller is associated with the gaming machine. The secondary controller facilitates paragame activity. Secondary gaming machine accounting, such as associated with activities implemented by the secondary controller, is performed by the secondary controller in communication with a secondary accounting system. The secondary controller and secondary accounting system can also mirror or monitor primary gaming machine accounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170053497
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is implemented relative to a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller which is associated with the gaming machine. In this manner, primary gaming functionality, such as primary wagering games and the award of primary awards and/or player reward points, may be implemented by the main game controller of the gaming machine. In addition, however, secondary gaming functionality may also be implemented at the gaming machine, such as secondary wagering games, secondary awards such as bonus and progressive awards and/or player reward points, via the secondary controller. The secondary controller may only implement secondary gaming functionality in response to a secondary wager placed by a player beyond a primary wager which enables the primary gaming functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9564004
    Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to offer an event for customer participation, receive funding for participation in the event, and providing feedback regarding the results. More specifically, a video game customer may receive notification of an invitation to place a bet on an event, participate in a transaction, or otherwise receive information or interaction. The use can press buttons on the video gaming machine to indicate choices, provide funding, and placing bets on an event. The funding for such participation may be directly deducted from the customer's balance on the video gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170018166
    Abstract: An activity monitor is associated with a container, such as a medication bottle, and includes one or more detectors configured to detect activity associated with the bottle, such as movement, opening and/or closing, and changes in volume and/or mass. The activity monitor may include alerting devices and be programmed with scheduling information. The activity monitor may also, or instead, communicate with one or more remote devices such as a user device or monitoring system, such as to receive programming information from those devices or to output activity information to those devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9495836
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine (26) by a secondary controller (200) of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone (28), tablet, personal computer (32), and the like, via the casino gaming machine. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more secondary wager-based games in addition to the one or more primary wager-based game(s) provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary controller functionality may cause the secondary wager-based game to be presented upon a single input player to the gaming machine which also initiates the primary game, whereby primary and secondary games are initiated seamlessly to the player via a single input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160328914
    Abstract: In a gaming method and system, a player is permitted to move funds from a gaming machine at a casino, such as funds won at the gaming machine or input into the gaming machine, with a funds account which the player can utilize to fund remote or mobile gaming. When a player of a gaming machine is identified, such as by detecting or sensing the player's mobile communication device or by a player's use of a player card or the like, a gaming machine may be configured or triggered to activate one or more funds association options, such as to offer the player the opportunity to associate funds provided to the gaming machine with their account for use in remote or mobile gaming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160321856
    Abstract: A lottery-type game is enabled via two or more casino games such as keno or video poker games. If the outcome of the first game is winning, the player may be awarded first winnings. If the outcome of the second game is winning, the player may be awarded second winnings. Regardless of the outcomes of the base games, if designated indicia comprising certain indicia from the first and second games match a selected set of indicia, then the lottery-type game is winning. In the case of a keno game, the designated indicia may be certain player numbers from the keno games and in the case of a poker game, certain player-selected cards. The selected set of indicia may comprise drawn keno numbers or dealt cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160323541
    Abstract: A user's eye gaze is corrected in a video of the user's face. Each of a plurality of templates comprises a different image of an eye of the user looking directly at the camera. Every frame of at least one continuous interval of the video is modified to replace each of the user's eyes with that of a respective template selected for that frame, whereby the user is perceived to be looking directly at the camera in the modified frames. Different templates are selected for different frames of the continuous interval so that the user's eyes exhibit animation throughout the continuous interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Mattias Nilsson, Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160323540
    Abstract: A user's eye gaze is corrected in a video of the user's face. A facial tracking module is configured, in an active tracking mode, to track at least one angular coordinate of the user's face and to output a current value of the at least one angular coordinated that is within a range of possible values. Frames of the video are modified to correct the eye gaze of the user, whereby the user is perceived to be looking directly at the camera in the modified frames, only when the tracking module is in the active tracking mode and the current value is within a restricted subrange of the range of possible values for which the user's face is oriented towards the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Mattias Nilsson, Sam Johnson
  • Patent number: 9449469
    Abstract: A lottery-type game is enabled via two or more casino games such as keno or video poker games. If the outcome of the first game is winning, the player may be awarded first winnings. If the outcome of the second game is winning, the player may be awarded second winnings. Regardless of the outcomes of the base games, if designated indicia comprising certain indicia from the first and second games match a selected set of indicia, then the lottery-type game is winning. In the case of a keno game, the designated indicia may be certain player numbers from the keno games and in the case of a poker game, certain player-selected cards. The selected set of indicia may comprise drawn keno numbers or dealt cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160267744
    Abstract: A player reservation feature is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The player reservation feature may be accessed at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The gaming machine is locked and unavailable for play except by the player that made the reservation. Reserving a gaming machine may be free, or a fee may be accessed for a reservation. Where a fee is assessed, the fee may be waived for a reserving player. Where the reservation feature is being accessed remotely, a casino floor map may be displayed at the device that is being used, such as another casino machine, smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, along with information about each gaming machine on the casino floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160261899
    Abstract: This application discloses a system and method for the delivery of television programming comprising of: a video source connected to a subscriber network to transport a primary video signal; a message source connected to said subscriber network to transport a supplemental video signal; wherein the primary and supplemental video signals are combined to display the primary and supplemental video signals concurrently. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber receives discounts relative to the amount of supplemental video signal that is viewed by the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Aldemaro Ribeiro, Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160253871
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is implemented relative to a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller which is associated with the gaming machine. In this manner, primary gaming functionality, such as primary wagering games and the award of primary awards and/or player reward points, may be implemented by the main game controller of the gaming machine. In addition, however, secondary gaming functionality may also be implemented at the gaming machine, such as secondary wagering games and the award of secondary awards and/or player reward points, via the secondary controller. The secondary controller may only implement secondary gaming functionality in response to a secondary wager placed by a player beyond a primary wager which enables the primary gaming functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Sam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160240048
    Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality may function to provide a multi-game experience at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The multi-game experience may comprise one or more additional instances of a wager-based video game provided by the primary gaming functionality of the gaming machine. The secondary gaming functionality of the gaming machine may cause the one or more additional instances of the wager-based video game to be presented at another device either directly or indirectly via a server, such as a social media server or a server-based gaming system's server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Sam Johnson