Patents by Inventor Scott A. Massing
Scott A. Massing 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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Patent number: 9005021Abstract: A method of altering a wagering game theme for a flexible bank of wagering game machines, the flexible bank including a first sub-portion, a second sub-portion, and one or more display elements disposed between the first and second sub-portions, includes the acts of displaying graphical content relating to a first wagering game theme on the first and second sub-portions and on the one or more display elements and using a controller, responsive to a trigger, to switch the second sub-portion to display a second wagering game theme different than the first wagering game theme and to cause the one or more display elements to display a blank display or graphical content different than the first and second wagering game themes.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Massing, Mark B. Gagner
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Publication number: 20150072774Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 8974297Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Massing, Frank E. Rodriguez, Timothy C. Loose, James M. Rasmussen, Kenneth M. Ross, Miguel A. Vega, Michael R. Bytnar
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Patent number: 8968092Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting characteristics of at least one environmental condition in an external environment that is external to a wagering game machine in a casino (e.g., detect activity that occurs in the casino, detect appearance of people and objects in the casino, detect light and sound events, etc.). The operations can further include generating an animated wagering game effect in a wagering game animation, using the detected characteristics of the environmental condition. The animated wagering game effect can affect one or more wagering game objects within the wagering game animation in a way that emulates the environmental condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Robert W. Morgan, III, Alfred Thomas
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Publication number: 20150038236Abstract: A method for selecting content for delivery to devices is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include registering a plurality of devices of one or more device types. The method can further include receiving usage information indicating usage of the devices and affinity information indicating user affinities associated with the devices. The method can further include detecting that a device of the plurality of devices is in-use. The method can further include determining, based on the usage information and the affinity information, game content for the device currently used. The method can further include transmitting, to the device, the game content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Richard B. Robbins, Damon E. Gura, Michael J. Irby, II, Scott A. Massing, Jamie W. Vann
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Publication number: 20150038218Abstract: A method includes receiving a communication regarding account activity for a player account of a wagering game player. The player account is within a group of player accounts for the wagering game player, wherein the group of player accounts includes at least one of a player account for account-based wagering at a wagering game establishment, a player account for player tracking of player activity at the wagering game establishment, and a player account for online wagering. The method includes executing a rules-based response, after receiving the communication regarding account activity. Executing the rules-based response can comprise at least one of: transmitting a player notification to the wagering game player about the account activity, to at least one of the player accounts and transmitting an account lockdown communication instructing an account server to lockdown at least one of the player accounts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Barclay, Christopher W. Blackburn, Scott A. Massing, John R. Werneke
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Publication number: 20150024846Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting an environmental condition external to a wagering game machine. The operations can further include generating, based on the environmental condition, an animated wagering game effect. The operations can further include modifying, based on the animated wagering game effect, a wagering game object of a wagering game. The operations can further include presenting, on the wagering game machine, the modified wagering game object of the wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Robert W. Morgan, III, Alfred Thomas
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Patent number: 8926422Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving, at a wagering game server, a request from a mobile device to play a wagering game via a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machines on the wagering game network. The operations can also include associating the mobile device with the selected wagering game machine, wherein the associating allows receipt of input for the wagering game from the mobile device. The operations can also include receiving, via the wagering game network, commands resulting from inputs accepted by the mobile device. The operations can also include determining a result of the wagering game.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
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Publication number: 20140295970Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting wagering game content via an autostereoscopic display of a wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a degree of change in a position of a chair connected to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the change in the position of the chair occurs in accordance with an event from the wagering game content. The operations can further include altering an autostereoscopic presentation of the wagering game content proportional to the change in the position of the chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
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Patent number: 8834272Abstract: A gaming machine comprises one or more display devices, a configurable joystick, and one or more memory devices. The memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the machine to dispose the joystick in a first joystick state during a first game part and, responsive to a trigger, dynamically reconfigure the joystick to a second joystick state for use during a second game part. A method comprises receiving an input to play a game, providing a configurable joystick in a first joystick state, conducting a first game part with the joystick in the first joystick state, dynamically reconfiguring the joystick from the first joystick state to a second joystick state responsive to a trigger, and conducting a second wagering game part with the joystick in the second joystick state.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
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Patent number: 8821286Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a motion sensing controller, two calibration wireless transmissions that were transmitted from two different wireless emitters that are fixedly positioned to two different components of a wagering game system during calibration. The method includes receiving, by the motion sensing controller, two gameplay wireless transmissions that was transmitted from the two different wireless emitters for tracking of the wagering game play of the wagering game. The method includes determining a calibration movement difference between the two calibration wireless transmissions and determining a gameplay movement difference between the two gameplay wireless transmissions. In response to the calibration movement difference and the gameplay movement difference being unequal, outputting an indicator of at least one of a component movement and distortion of one of the two different gameplay transmissions.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Nickey C. Shin, Jesse M. Smith, Martin R. Ugarte, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140228096Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld device coupled to a fixed structure. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a base predefined zone and a first predefined zone. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space and the first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space. A memory device stores instructions that, when executed, by at least one of one or more processors of the gaming system, cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Larry J. Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 8784206Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a three-dimensional image of wagering game content via a display associated with a wagering game machine. The operations can further include estimating a degree of alteration to a stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by a change in the position of a device (e.g., a chair) connected to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include altering a presentation of the three-dimensional image based on the degree of alteration to the stereoscopic view of the three-dimensional image caused by the change in the position of the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
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Publication number: 20140200065Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving, at a wagering game server, a request from a mobile device to play a wagering game via a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machines on the wagering game network. The operations can also include associating the mobile device with the selected wagering game machine, wherein the associating allows receipt of input for the wagering game from the mobile device. The operations can also include receiving, via the wagering game network, commands resulting from inputs accepted by the mobile device. The operations can also include determining a result of the wagering game.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Randy S. Demsetz, Mark B. Gagner, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
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Publication number: 20140121015Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting initiation of a wagering game and determining, in response to the detecting the initiation of the wagering game, first content and second content to present for the wagering game. The operations can further include providing the first content for presentation on a display device, the first content being viewable through the gaming eyewear, and providing the second content for presentation as a virtual image via the gaming eyewear.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Massing, Damon E. Gura, Daniel P. Louie, Jesse M. Smith, Jamie W. Vann
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Publication number: 20140094310Abstract: A gaming machine comprises one or more display devices, a configurable joystick, and one or more memory devices. The memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the machine to dispose the joystick in a first joystick state during a first game part and, responsive to a trigger, dynamically reconfigure the joystick to a second joystick state for use during a second game part. A method comprises receiving an input to play a game, providing a configurable joystick in a first joystick state, conducting a first game part with the joystick in the first joystick state, dynamically reconfiguring the joystick from the first joystick state to a second joystick state responsive to a trigger, and conducting a second wagering game part with the joystick in the second joystick state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Bleich, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing
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Publication number: 20140094301Abstract: A gaming machine has a cabinet with a cabinet frame, a display device, a light source, and a directional transmissible layer with directional light planes arranged parallel to and offset from each other. The display device is located within the cabinet frame and is configured to display a wagering game. The light source is positioned above the display device, within the cabinet frame, and emits direct light and indirect light towards a player position in front of the gaming machine. The indirect light reflects off the display device prior to reaching the player position, causing light glare towards the player position. To reduce or eliminate the light glare, the directional transmissible layer is placed at least in part over the light source such that the directional light planes are horizontally aligned with the display device to prevent at least some of the indirect light from reflecting off the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.Inventors: Bradley D. Cornell, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Miguel A. Vega
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Publication number: 20140080573Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, and gaming display assemblies are presented herein. A gaming machine for playing a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a support structure and an input device configured to receive an input indicative of a wager to play the wagering game. A primary display device is mounted to the support structure and configured to display randomly determined outcomes of the wagering game. A display interface device, which overlies at least a portion of the primary display device, includes a player-rotatable display interface rotatably mounted to the support structure and configured to be manually rotated by a player. The display interface device is operatively connected to the primary display device such that motion manually imparted to the player-rotatable display interface by a player affects one or more aspects of the wagering game displayed on the primary display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Larry J. Pacey, Scott A. Massing, Matthew J. Ward
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Patent number: 8672744Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Andrew C. Guinn, Scott A. Massing, Noel S. Steere
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Publication number: 20140073386Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for conducting a multi-player wagering game. The method can include determining, by at least on processor, a head position of a player of the multi-player wagering game. The method can also include determining, based on the head position, a viewable portion of a virtual object used in the multi-player wagering game, and causing presentation of the viewable portion of the virtual object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Sean P. Kelly, Scott A. Massing, Pamela S. Smith, Jamie W. Vann