Patents by Inventor Thomas E Soukup
Thomas E Soukup 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).
-
Publication number: 20230401922Abstract: A projection surface gaming system for projecting video images onto a physical gaming table is described herein. The projection surface gaming system includes a video projection device, an object sensing system, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of projecting a first image on a surface of the physical gaming table using the video projection device, detecting a player's interaction with an area of the physical gaming table displaying the first image using the object sensing system, and projecting a second image on the surface of the gaming table in response to detecting the player's interaction with the area of the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Sina Miri
-
Publication number: 20230177915Abstract: A networked computer system for use in a casino property is described herein. The networked computer system includes a near field communication (NFC) reader coupled to a gaming device and a player tracking server. The player tracking server is programmed to receive an NFC signal including a user ID, access a plurality of user account records and select a matching user account record having a corresponding user ID matching the received user ID, retrieve account information included in the matching user account record, and display the account information on the gaming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup, Jeffrey George
-
Publication number: 20230115808Abstract: A networked computer system is described herein. The networked computer system includes a casino management system coupled to a plurality of devices located within a casino and a facial recognition system. The facial recognition system is programmed to receive facial image from an imaging device positioned within the casino property, access a biometric database and selecting a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to identify a player account record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player account record.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20230113391Abstract: A networked casino management computer system is described herein. The networked casino management computer system includes a facial recognition system and a casino management server. The facial recognition system is programmed receive a facial image from an imaging device, access a biometric database and select a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to access a player database and identify a player record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player record.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Patent number: 11600132Abstract: A projection surface gaming system for projecting video images onto a physical gaming table is described herein. The projection surface gaming system includes a video projection device, an object sensing system, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of projecting a first image on a surface of the physical gaming table using the video projection device, detecting a player's interaction with an area of the physical gaming table displaying the first image using the object sensing system, and projecting a second image on the surface of the gaming table in response to detecting the player's interaction with the area of the first image.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Sina Miri
-
Patent number: 11521460Abstract: A networked computer system is described herein. The networked computer system includes a casino management system coupled to a plurality of devices located within a casino and a facial recognition system. The facial recognition system is programmed to receive facial image from an imaging device positioned within the casino property, access a biometric database and selecting a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to identify a player account record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player account record.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Patent number: 11521457Abstract: A networked computer system for use in a casino property is described herein. The networked computer system includes a near field communication (NFC) reader coupled to a gaming device and a player tracking server. The player tracking server is programmed to receive an NFC signal including a user ID, access a plurality of user account records and select a matching user account record having a corresponding user ID matching the received user ID, retrieve account information included in the matching user account record, and display the account information on the gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup, Jeffrey George
-
Patent number: 11455864Abstract: A networked casino management computer system is described herein. The networked casino management computer system includes a facial recognition system and a casino management server. The facial recognition system is programmed receive a facial image from an imaging device, access a biometric database and select a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to access a player database and identify a player record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player record.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20210280008Abstract: A networked computer system is described herein. The networked computer system includes a casino management system coupled to a plurality of devices located within a casino and a facial recognition system. The facial recognition system is programmed to receive facial image from an imaging device positioned within the casino property, access a biometric database and selecting a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to identify a player account record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player account record.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20210150856Abstract: A networked casino management computer system is described herein. The networked casino management computer system includes a facial recognition system and a casino management server. The facial recognition system is programmed receive a facial image from an imaging device, access a biometric database and select a face ID matching the received facial image, and transmit the selected face ID and location information associated with the imaging device to the casino management system. The casino management system is programmed to access a player database and identify a player record associated with the selected face ID, identify a device located within the casino that is associated with the imaging device, and record activity of the identified device to the identified player record.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20210134108Abstract: A projection surface gaming system for projecting video images onto a physical gaming table is described herein. The projection surface gaming system includes a video projection device, an object sensing system, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of projecting a first image on a surface of the physical gaming table using the video projection device, detecting a player's interaction with an area of the physical gaming table displaying the first image using the object sensing system, and projecting a second image on the surface of the gaming table in response to detecting the player's interaction with the area of the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Sina Miri
-
Patent number: 10878657Abstract: A networked casino management computer system is described herein. The networked casino management computer system includes a facial recognition system and a casino management server. The facial recognition system includes a facial recognition server system programmed to receive a video image from an imaging device located within a casino property, retrieve a biometric data record having image data matching the received video image, and transmit a notification signal including a corresponding face ID included in the retrieved biometric data record and a imaging device location ID to the casino management server. The casino management server is programmed to access a user account database and identify a known user account record having a user face ID matching the corresponding face ID, identify a gaming device associated with the imaging device location ID and transmit a session initiation signal to the identified gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Patent number: 10769887Abstract: A gaming system including a casino management server coupled to a plurality of gaming machines is described herein. The casino management server includes a processor programmed to initiate a bonus award feature, identify gaming machines associated with the bonus award feature, and determine a bonus award associated with the bonus award feature. The bonus award includes a first award value associated with a carded player account and a second award value associated with an un-carded anonymous player wagering session and/or account. The processor selects gaming machines having gaming sessions associated with un-carded anonymous players and displays a message notifying the player of the first award value associated with a carded player account and the second award value associated with an un-carded anonymous player. The processor also downloads the second award value to a corresponding gaming credit meter of each selected gaming machine associated with un-carded anonymous players.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20200184769Abstract: A networked computer system for use in a casino property is described herein. The networked computer system includes a near field communication (NFC) reader coupled to a gaming device and a player tracking server. The player tracking server is programmed to receive an NFC signal including a user ID, access a plurality of user account records and select a matching user account record having a corresponding user ID matching the received user ID, retrieve account information included in the matching user account record, and display the account information on the gaming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup, Jeffrey George
-
Patent number: 10600281Abstract: A networked computer system, comprising a plurality of gaming machines and a server computer system coupled to each of the plurality of gaming machines, comprising: a database server computer programmed to: generate and store a program file including a plurality of player account records, and an application server computer programmed to: receive a first NFC ID from the player tracking device; access the plurality of player account records and select a player account record having an NFC ID matching the received first NFC ID; retrieve the player tracking information included in the selected player account record; display the retrieved player tracking information on the corresponding player tracking device and allow the player to modify player tracking information using the player tracking device; monitor gaming activity associated with the corresponding gaming machines; and modify the selected player account record to include information associated with the monitored gaming activity.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup, Jeffrey George
-
Publication number: 20200035064Abstract: A networked casino management computer system is described herein. The networked casino management computer system includes a facial recognition system and a casino management server. The facial recognition system includes a facial recognition server system programmed to receive a video image from an imaging device located within a casino property, retrieve a biometric data record having image data matching the received video image, and transmit a notification signal including a corresponding face ID included in the retrieved biometric data record and a imaging device location ID to the casino management server. The casino management server is programmed to access a user account database and identify a known user account record having a user face ID matching the corresponding face ID, identify a gaming device associated with the imaging device location ID and transmit a session initiation signal to the identified gaming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20190164384Abstract: A gaming system including a casino management server coupled to a plurality of gaming machines is described herein. The casino management server includes a processor programmed to initiate a bonus award feature, identify gaming machines associated with the bonus award feature, and determine a bonus award associated with the bonus award feature. The bonus award includes a first award value associated with a carded player account and a second award value associated with an un-carded anonymous player wagering session and/or account. The processor selects gaming machines having gaming sessions associated with un-carded anonymous players and displays a message notifying the player of the first award value associated with a carded player account and the second award value associated with an un-carded anonymous player. The processor also downloads the second award value to a corresponding gaming credit meter of each selected gaming machine associated with un-carded anonymous players.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich, Jeffrey George, Jason Bertsch
-
Publication number: 20190096177Abstract: A networked computer system, comprising a plurality of gaming machines and a server computer system coupled to each of the plurality of gaming machines, comprising: a database server computer programmed to: generate and store a program file including a plurality of player account records, and an application server computer programmed to: receive a first NFC ID from the player tracking device; access the plurality of player account records and select a player account record having an NFC ID matching the received first NFC ID; retrieve the player tracking information included in the selected player account record; display the retrieved player tracking information on the corresponding player tracking device and allow the player to modify player tracking information using the player tracking device; monitor gaming activity associated with the corresponding gaming machines; and modify the selected player account record to include information associated with the monitored gaming activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Edward Sepich, Thomas E. Soukup, Jeffrey George
-
Patent number: 10083570Abstract: A system for use in providing gaming property services to a player via a gaming device is provided. The system includes a gaming property server, a gaming machine, and gaming tracking device. The gaming property server provides gaming property services to the player. The gaming machine includes a gaming display, a display device that is coupled to the gaming display, and a gaming controller that is coupled to the display device. The gaming controller is configured to randomly generate an outcome of a game and transmit game data indicative of the outcome to the display device. The gaming tracking device also includes a web browser program for displaying gaming property services via a website provided by the gaming property server. The display device configured to display a player interaction screen including the outcome of the game and the gaming property services.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: KONAMI GAMING, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey D. George, Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich
-
Publication number: 20170243436Abstract: A system for use in providing gaming property services to a player via a gaming device is provided. The system includes a gaming property server, a gaming machine, and gaming tracking device. The gaming property server provides gaming property services to the player. The gaming machine includes a gaming display, a display device that is coupled to the gaming display, and a gaming controller that is coupled to the display device. The gaming controller is configured to randomly generate an outcome of a game and transmit game data indicative of the outcome to the display device. The gaming tracking device also includes a web browser program for displaying gaming property services via a website provided by the gaming property server. The display device configured to display a player interaction screen including the outcome of the game and the gaming property services.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey D. George, Thomas E. Soukup, Edward Sepich