Patents by Inventor Timothy T. Gronkowski

Timothy T. Gronkowski 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: 20140228121
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that a sound problem would occur if first content were to be presented simultaneously with second content via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. In some examples, the first content is provided by a first application and the second content is provided by a second application independent from the first application. In some embodiments, the operation can further include modifying one or more characteristics of one or more of the first content and the second content based on the determining that the sound problem would occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8784206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, John F. LaSalvia, Timothy C. Loose, Scott A. Massing, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 8758125
    Abstract: A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting one or more events that occur within a wagering game. The wagering game can feature a wagering game object that can automatically (e.g., intelligently) respond to the one or more events. The behavior controller system can use event-driven behavior controllers, such as a behavior tree. The behavior controller system can determine, and activate, tasks on the behavior tree that cause the wagering game object to respond to the one or more events. In some embodiments, the behavior controller system can also prioritize tasks that may be performed by behavior trees to prevent conflicts between wagering game objects during a wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Robby M. Friedman, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Michael J. Irby, Victor T. Shi, John L. Walsh
  • Patent number: 8740701
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining audio playlists from a plurality of independent wagering game applications (“applications”). The audio playlists can include multiple sound content that is activated contemporaneously on a wagering game machine for each of the applications. The operations can further include determining sound classes assigned to the sound content and determining, from prioritization rules, priority values for the sound classes. The operations can further include comparing the priority values and generating sound balancing priorities for the sound content based on the comparison of the priority values. The operations can also include dynamically balancing the sound content, as presented on audio production devices, based on the sound balancing priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 8672744
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gronkowski, Andrew C. Guinn, Scott A. Massing, Noel S. Steere
  • Publication number: 20140066184
    Abstract: Although wagering games and wagering game machines provide significant entertainment and excitement, outcomes of wagering games can be used to provide entertainment and excitement external to the wagering game machines and even distinct and/or separate from the wagering games that generate the outcomes. A wagering game machine can communicate wagering game outcome data to a machine that is external to the wagering game machine for evaluation of the wagering game outcome data (“external evaluator”). The external evaluator can evaluate the wagering game outcome data against rules and/or criteria that lead to an exciting and entertaining event separate and/or distinct from the wagering game itself. Evaluating wagering game outcome data separate from the hosting wagering game machine allows a variety of events to be associated with game outcomes and allows for events to adapt to a dynamic environment and/or to player preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jacek A. Grabiec, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Budyanto Himawan
  • Publication number: 20140057726
    Abstract: An establishment can coordinate devices (e.g., lights, speakers, displays) to enhance a game playing environment based on events detected in a network of wagering game machines. A system can be implemented that determines an environmental effect based on an event of a wagering game (e.g., a near win event), regardless of the particular wagering game developer/manufacturer. The system can then determine that the environmental effect should be modified based on current circumstances of the area to be impacted and/or the player, for example. The system modifies the environment effect as indicated for the current circumstances and causes the modified environmental effect to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8597112
    Abstract: An external evaluator can evaluate the wagering game outcome data against rules and/or criteria that lead to an exciting and entertaining event separate and/or distinct from the wagering game itself. An external evaluator evaluates game outcome data, received from a wagering gaming machine via a network, against criteria for a plurality of events (203). It is determined that the game outcome data satisfies a criterion of a first of the plurality of events. The criteria comprise the criterion. A device is determined that performs an operation that, at least partially, implements the first of the plurality of events (323). A communication that indicates the first of the plurality of events is transmitted to the device via the network (327).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Jacek A. Grabiec, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Budyanto Himawan
  • Patent number: 8591315
    Abstract: An establishment can coordinate devices (e.g., lights, speakers, displays) to enhance a game playing environment based on events detected in a network of wagering game machines. A system can be implemented that determines an environmental effect based on an event of a wagering game (e.g., a near win event), regardless of the particular wagering game developer/manufacturer. The system can determine the environmental effect to be created for an event at the wagering game machine, at a server, etc. A request for the environmental effect is then supplied to the process and/or machine that causes the devices to create the environmental effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8556714
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, James E. Motyl, Victor T. Shi, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark K. Trego, Michael C. Ward, Scott A. Massing
  • Publication number: 20130023337
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a wagering game on a display device of a wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting head movements and facial gestures of a player of the wagering game via a video capture device of the wagering game machine, and generating player input data based on the head movements and facial gestures of the player. The operations can further include modifying wagering game content based on the player input data associated with the head movements and facial gestures of the player, and presenting results of the wagering game on the display device of the wagering game machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Bowers, Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, John F. LaSalvia, James E. Motyl, Victor T. Shi, Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark K. Trego, Michael C. Ward
  • Publication number: 20130005442
    Abstract: Wagering game systems including gaming chairs are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a wagering game machine, access information identifying a wagering game player, and determining the wagering game players motion profile associated with a gaming chair connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the motion profile indicates movements of the gaming chair that are acceptable to the wagering game player. The method also includes determining prescribed motions for the gaming chair, wherein the prescribed motions are associated with wagering game events, and determining that one of the wagering game events occurred on the wagering game machine. The method also includes moving the gaining chair in accordance with the prescribed motions for the gaming chair and the wagering game players motion profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Eric V. Erickson, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Paul M. Lesley, Scott A. Massing, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120329553
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. GAGNER, Timothy T. GRONKOWSKI, Paul M. LESLEY, Timothy C. LOOSE, Jim MOTYL, James M. RASMUSSEN, Victor T. SHI, Alfred THOMAS, Jesse SMITH
  • Publication number: 20120322527
    Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game that allows accurate determination of a player gesture input. A gaming terminal for playing the wagering game including a controller is disclosed. A touch surface is provided for actuation by a player gesture associated with an input to the wagering game. A sensor array underlies the touch surface to sense the motion of the gesture. The sensor array is coupled to the controller. The controller determines a trajectory represented by the gesture based on the sensed motion from the sensor array. A display is coupled to the controller to display movement of an object image based on the trajectory represented by the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Dion K. Aoki, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Joel R. Jaffe, Timothy C. Loose
  • Patent number: 8333655
    Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Paul M. Lesley, Timothy C. Loose, Jim Motyl, James M. Rasmussen, Victor T. Shi, Alfred Thomas, Jesse Smith
  • Publication number: 20120315981
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a wagering game session for a player in a first wagering game machine of the wagering game system based on a wagering game system account associated with the player. The operations can also include identifying wagering game machines of the wagering game system that are idle and available for simultaneous game play. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the player in a second wagering game machine of the wagering game system for simultaneous game play. The second wagering game machine may be selected from the wagering game machines that are idle and available for simultaneous game play. The operations can further include initiating simultaneous game play in the first and second wagering game machines based on the players wagering game system account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Jacqueline F. Parra
  • Publication number: 20120231886
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Gomez, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Scott A. Massing, Robert W. Morgan, III, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120225726
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method comprising determining a layout pattern of a plurality of wagering game machines. The layout pattern indicates a plurality of locations within the layout pattern. Display of a representation of the layout pattern with highlighting of a first of the plurality of locations within the layout pattern is requested. Input at one or more of the plurality of wagering game machines in response to said high-lighting is requested. A first of the plurality of wagering game machines is mapped to the first of the plurality of locations based, at least in part, on the input being supplied from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: WMS GAMING INC.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, David E. Detlefsen, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Victor V. Lerias, Timothy D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120178528
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Brunell, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Paul J. Radek, Martin R. Ugarte, Muthu Velu
  • Publication number: 20120178523
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a bank gaming effect for presentation on a bank of content presentation devices. The bank of content presentation devices can be associated with a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include receiving presentation status information for the bank of content presentation devices. The presentation status information can indicate one or more events that affect a state of availability of each of the bank of content presentation devices to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can further include determining, based on the presentation status information, one content presentation device, from the bank of content presentation devices, that is ineligible to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can also include excluding the one content presentation device from participation in the bank gaming effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WMS Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy T. Gronkowski, John Michael Holmes, Timothy C. Loose, Martin R. Ugarte, JR., Muthu Velu