Patents by Inventor Steven J. Lee

Steven J. Lee 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: 8197338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending wagering game play on wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a content signal associated with regulated operations. The method can also include determining whether an enable signal is detected. Additionally, if the enable signal is not detected, the method can call for prohibiting performance of the regulated operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Fitzsimons, Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120108346
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a signal that enables execution of instructions forming a memory clear process, wherein the instructions are included in an operating system of a wagering game machine. Additional activities may include executing the instructions by at least one processor to clear at least a portion of nonvolatile memory in the wagering game machine and initializing the operating system to enable receiving a wager from a player in association with a wagering game to be played on the wagering game machine. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Damon E. Gura, Steven J. Lee, Samuel D. Ralston, Jorge Luis Shimabukuro, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8162750
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to enable determining the location of a wagering game machine in relation to a plurality of transmission or reception apparatus using a multilateration process. In some embodiments, the orientation of the machine may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110238762
    Abstract: Some techniques feature a computer-implemented method for messages associated with a user location. The method involves determining, by a mobile computing device, an estimated geographic location of the mobile computing device. The method includes receiving, at the mobile computing device, one or more messages associated with an area within the estimated geographic location, where the one or more messages include messages posted by users of a system that associates messages that those users posted about the area within the estimated geographic location. The method involves providing, on a display of the mobile computing device, one or more posted message icons that are presented in a layer over a map, where the one or more posted message icons represent the one or more posted messages. In a system, the one or more posted messages may not appear on mobile devices after a predetermined amount of time from their respective postings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Punit Soni, Steven J. Lee, Sanjay Mavinkurve, Fred Gilbert, Carlos E. Whitt, Ana Maria Ulin Vazquez, Li-Wei Lee, Marc Peter Tarca Wilson, Mathieu P. Balez, Aleksandr V. Kennberg
  • Publication number: 20110130197
    Abstract: A mesh communications wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include tracking any number of wireless mesh network devices in relation to a wagering boundary so that the system can manage wagering games. In some embodiments, the operation can include incentivizing players to encourage other players to participate in a mesh network, thus increasing the efficiency of the mesh network. In some embodiments, the operations can include coordinating the presentation of wagering game content between mesh enabled devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bytnar, Steven J. Lee, Nevin J. Liber, Jason A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110111845
    Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises displaying the wagering game and at least one progressive award, receiving a wager to play the wagering game, and upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, offering the at least one progressive award. The method further comprises determining whether or not the at least one progressive award has been accepted, and if the at least one progressive award has not been accepted, banking a progressive enhancement. The method further comprises, upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, applying the progressive enhancement to the at least one progressive award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: VMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Fitzsimons, Steven J. Lee, James M. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20100248809
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game, and a controller operatively coupled to the display and the wager input device to operate in a plurality of selectable game modes of which a selected one is a current game mode. The display has an array of reel strips. Each of the selectable game modes is respectively associated with a subset of the reel strips of the array. A first game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of a second game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes. The second game mode has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of the first game mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Fitzsimons, James M. Rasmussen, Eric T. Ryan, Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100167810
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending wagering game play on wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a content signal associated with regulated operations. The method can also include determining whether an enable signal is detected. Additionally, if the enable signal is not detected, the method can call for prohibiting performance of the regulated operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Fitzsimons, Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100029385
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system is coupled to at least one external sign assembly via a sign server, the external sign comprising one or more speakers. The wagering game system provides a volume control interface operable to allow a user of the wagering game system to control the volume of the one or more speakers comprising a part of the external sign assembly via the sign server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Garvey, Steven J. Lee, Eric M. Pryzby
  • Publication number: 20100016052
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to determine the location of a selected person in a casino, detect the occurrence of a preselected event associated with the selected person, and display a video image of the selected person on a display responsive to the detecting. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Laurie Lasseter, Steven J. Lee, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 7636664
    Abstract: A putting device comprising a storage means having a plurality of recorded audio samples stored thereon; a randomizing means, and a sensing means; wherein all said means are cooperatively connected together; upon activation of said sensing means, said randomizing means selects an audio sample from said storage means for said putting device to audibilize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventor: Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090305773
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to enable determining the location of a wagering game machine in relation to a plurality of transmission or reception apparatus using a multilateration process. In some embodiments, the orientation of the machine may also be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Steven J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090138133
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide power management on a wagering game machine. Power consumption for various components of a wagering game machine may be adjusted based on various factors, including inactivity, component activity, power source changes, time based events, wireless access point proximity, change in battery voltage, credit level threshold, change in ambient lighting, related or adjacent machine power status, mode transition to play mode, mode transition to attract mode and mode transition to diagnostic mode. Power management events and power usage data may be communicated to a remote system for analysis or action. Power management commands or policies may be received from a remote system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Buchholz, Mark B. Gagner, Robert A. Grom, Steven J. Lee, Nevin J. Liber, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew R. Fitzdimons, Eric Ryan
  • Publication number: 20090055611
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. A method copies a first data of an NVRAM module to a storage device, wherein the NVRAM module is associated with a wagering game machine and then copies a second data to the NVRAM module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Srinivyasa M. Adiraju, Ranjan Dasgupta, Steven J. Lee, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 6081665
    Abstract: The invention is a method for use in executing portable virtual machine computer programs under real-time constraints. The invention includes a method for implementing a single abstract virtual machine execution stack with multiple independent stacks in order to improve the efficiency of distinguishing memory pointers from non-pointers. Further, the invention includes a method for rewriting certain of the virtual machine instructions into a new instruction set that more efficiently manipulates the multiple stacks. Additionally, using the multiple-stack technique to identify pointers on the run-time stack, the invention includes a method for performing efficient defragmenting real-time garbage collection using a mostly stationary technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Newmonics Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin D. Nilsen, Simanta Mitra, Steven J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4334048
    Abstract: A process is described for the polymerization of cyclic olefins by ring-opening employing a coinitiator such as acetylene or substituted acetylenes. The polymers obtained by this method are highly stereoselective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas J. Katz, Mridula Nair, Steven J. Lee