Patents by Inventor Sean P. Kelly

Sean P. Kelly 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: 9007367
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Aponte, Michael J. Irby, II, Sean P. Kelly, Brian D. Manning, Anthony J. W. Prohl, Craig J. Sylla, John L. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20150065231
    Abstract: A method for processing wagering game e-tickets is described herein. The method can include receiving, from a mobile device over a network, an indication to create an e-ticket. The method can also include determining, by a wagering game server, monetary value information for the e-ticket. The method can also include transmitting, to a ticketing server, the monetary value information; receiving, from the ticketing server, e-ticket information. The method can also include transmitting, over the network, the e-ticket information to the mobile device for generating the e-ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Mark B. Gagner, Anuradha Jandhyala, Sean P. Kelly, Vladislav Modilevsky, Justin A. Perkins, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Publication number: 20150045115
    Abstract: A method for alerting a player about a wagering game machine is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving, via a communications network from a handheld computing device, player preferences for an opt-in proximity alert. The method can further include creating the opt-in proximity alert based, at least in part, on the player preferences. The method can further include determining, via one or more processors, that the handheld computing device is in proximity to a wagering game machine matching the player preferences. The method can further include causing the handheld computing device to present an alert about the wagering game machine matching the player preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Donald E. Brundage, Venkatesh A. Khanna
  • Publication number: 20140370971
    Abstract: Communications capability between two wagering game machines is provided using personal devices of users of the wagering game machines. At least one of the wagering game machines is a network-limited wagering game machine that is not communicably coupled to a casino operator's network. A first user communicably couples a personal device such as a mobile phone to a wagering game machine and a second user communicably couples a personal device to a wagering game machine. The two wagering game machines communicate using a communication path formed by the two personal devices and a network such as a mobile phone network communicably coupling the two personal devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Joel R. Jaffe, Justin A. Perkins, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8894493
    Abstract: A method for alerting a player about a wagering game machine is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include determining that a wagering game machine is in proximity to the handheld computing device. The method can further include indicating that the wagering game machine is in proximity to the handheld computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Donald E. Brundage, Venkatesh A. Khanna
  • Publication number: 20140325811
    Abstract: A method of installing a motor in a machine includes moving a tray coupled to a frame of the machine to a first position, securing the tray to the machine in the first position, placing the motor proximate to a first end of the tray, sliding the motor proximate to a second end of the tray, inserting at least two studs into apertures defined on the motor and corresponding mounting apertures defined in the frame, rotating a nut in a threaded engagement with a corresponding stud to raise the motor to an installed position, successively removing one of the studs from the aperture of the motor and the corresponding mounting aperture followed by inserting a mounting bolt therein. The method further includes moving the tray from the first position to a second position and securing the tray to the frame in the second position by one of the studs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Brett W. Engel, Sean P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140323206
    Abstract: A method for depositing funds associated with a wagering game ticket in a player account via a mobile device is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving an image of a wagering game ticket, wherein a monetary value is associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include determining a player account, wherein the monetary value is to be deposited in the player account. The method can further include determining, based on the image, a ticket identifier associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include transmitting, to a ticketing server, the ticket identifier associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include receiving, from the ticketing server, an indication of the monetary value associated with the wagering game ticket. The method can further include depositing, in the player account, the monetary value associated with the wagering game ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Anuradha Jandhyala, Sean P. Kelly, Justin A. Perkins, Nickey C. Shin, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward, Jorge L. Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 8827787
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play the wagering game; direct a display device to display a randomly determined outcome of a base game of the wagering game; in response to a triggering event, initiate play of a non-skill-based game feature and, further in response to receiving a player selection of a skill-based game feature, initiate play of the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the non-skill-based game feature; and, award to the player only the higher of the two award values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Smith, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8821286
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: 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.
  • Publication number: 20140228086
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play the wagering game; direct a display device to display a randomly determined outcome of a base game of the wagering game; in response to a triggering event, initiate play of a non-skill-based game feature and, further in response to receiving a player selection of a skill-based game feature, initiate play of the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the non-skill-based game feature; and, award to the player only the higher of the two award values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Smith, Joel R. Jaffe, Sean P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140171206
    Abstract: A method for alerting a player about a wagering game machine is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include determining that a wagering game machine is in proximity to the handheld computing device. The method can further include indicating that the wagering game machine is in proximity to the handheld computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Sean P. Kelly, Donald E. Brundage, Venkatesh A. Khanna
  • Publication number: 20140073386
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Sean P. Kelly, Scott A. Massing, Pamela S. Smith, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20140066178
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a position of a player in physical world space (“player's position”) in front of an autostereoscopic display (“display”). The display includes optical units configured to project views of wagering game content with an autostereoscopic, three-dimensional effect. The operations can further include performing a repeating subroutine for each of the optical units associated with the wagering game content. The repeating subroutine, for each one of the optical units, determines that one of the views has a viewing angle that corresponds to the player's position, configures a virtual camera in virtual world space according to the viewing angle and renders, based on configuration of the virtual camera, a portion of the wagering game content that corresponds to pixels of the autostereoscopic display associated with the one of the optical units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventor: Sean P. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130337889
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting one or more audible communications made during a wagering game session, evaluating the one or more audible communications in context with gaming information associated with the wagering game session; and presenting an automated response to the one or more audible communications based on the evaluating of the one or more audible communications in context with gaming information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Sean P. Kelly, Jesse M. Smith, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20130303284
    Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Irby, II, Sean P. Kelly, Brian D. Manning, Anthony J.W. Prohl, Craig J. Sylla, John L. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20130274016
    Abstract: A system includes a community screen configured to display images of a community event thereon. The system includes a number of wagering game machines coupled to the community screen. The system also includes a number of handheld devices, wherein each handheld device has a respective display and is associated with a respective one of the wagering game machines. The system includes an image module configured, for at least one handheld device of the number of handheld devices, to identify a location on the community screen based on a position of the at least one handheld device and to present an image on the display of the at least one handheld device based on the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin T. Gomez, Sean P. Kelly, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Pamela S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130267317
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to presenting wagering game content in stereoscopic 3D according to an optimal autostereoscopic view for an autostereoscopic display based on a viewing perspective of a player when the player views the wagering game content. Some embodiments are also directed to determining that the player looks away from the wagering game content and maintaining, or freezing, presentation of wagering game content in 3D according to the optimal autostereoscopic view. Some embodiments are directed to updating the optimal autostereoscopic view based on changes to the viewing perspective while the player looks away from the wagering game content. Some embodiment are also directed to changing the presentation of the wagering game content to 2D, and restoring the one or more portions to 3D based on a degree of player attentiveness after the player looks at the wagering game content again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Mark B. Gagner, Sean P. Kelly, Scott A. Massing, Jamie W. Vann
  • Publication number: 20130130779
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a wagering game session for presentation of wagering game content. The operations can further include scanning a coded identifier during the wagering game session. The coded identifier indicates a characteristic associated with activity, events, achievements, etc. performed or attained prior to initiation of the wagering game session. For instance, the coded identifier can be a two-dimensional barcode generated in response to online activity (e.g., in response to progress attained in an online game). In some embodiments, the characteristics indicate information about the activity. The operations can further include adapting the wagering game content during the wagering game session based, at least in part, on the characteristic indicated in the coded identifier, such as providing gaming rewards and bonus games, adding funds, unlocking content, modifying wagering game content, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Benjamin R. Harry, Sean P. Kelly, Scott A. Massing, Justin A. Perkins, Victor T. Shi
  • Publication number: 20130122995
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a method includes: presenting a wagering game on a wagering game machine; detecting, during the wagering game, a trigger for a bonus game; presenting player-selectable bonus game options on a display device of the wagering game machine; detecting sign-on to an account on a player community server; after detecting the sign-on of the account, presenting a hint on the display device, wherein the hint indicates bonus game types associated with the player-selectable bonus game options; detecting selection of one of the player-selectable bonus game options, wherein the one of the player-selectable bonus game options is associated with a particular one of the bonus game types; and presenting a bonus game of the particular one of the bonus game types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: David E. Detlefsen, Sean P. Kelly, Darren Yat-man Ng, Nickey C. Shin
  • Publication number: 20110115413
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include configuring a casino light show on a light show design map using lighting device objects that correlate to lighting hardware devices in a casino. The lighting hardware devices can present light effects using different lighting control formats. The operations can further include configuring the light effects for the lighting device objects, and generating lighting control instructions in a common data format. The operations can further include converting the lighting control instructions to individual sets of lighting control instructions that comply with the different lighting control formats. The operations can further use the sets of lighting control instructions to present the light effects on the lighting hardware devices according to the different lighting control formats required by the lighting hardware devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, John L. Griffin, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Sean P. Kelly, David M. Pryor, Alfred Thomas, Martin R. Ugarte, JR.