Patents by Inventor Walter E. Smolucha
Walter E. Smolucha 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: 10580250Abstract: A gaming system includes a secure communication board having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and/or a wireless interface accessible externally to players and administrators of the gaming system. The secure communication board selectively provides power and communication between a coupled or proximate mobile device and the gaming system. The secure communication board includes a microcontroller to selectively control both power and communication flow through the secure communication board to the external interfaces. The microcontroller is responsive to the physical state of gaming system components and gaming system processor events and control signals. A wagering game event, user authentication, and/or specific states of one or more physical security switches of the gaming system may be required to provide power and data via the external interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Walter E. Smolucha
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Publication number: 20180082518Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, modular gaming terminals, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A gaming machine is presented which includes an input device for receiving wagers to play a wagering game, and a display module with a display device for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The display device is coupled to a display module housing, which includes a male or a female mounting interface. The gaming machine also includes a core module with an electrical bus that electrically connects to the display device. A core housing, which stows the electrical bus and supports the display module, includes the other one of the male and female mounting interfaces. The female mounting interface receives the male mounting interface such that moving the male interface into the female interface automatically aligns the display module with the core module and removably attaches the core housing to the display housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Robert James GLENN, II, Christian Louis CASTRO, Larry J. PACEY, Paul Michael LESLEY, Walter E. SMOLUCHA, Christoper W. CHUDEK
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Patent number: 9865121Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, modular gaming terminals, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A gaming machine is presented which includes an input device for receiving wagers to play a wagering game, and a display module with a display device for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The display device is coupled to a display module housing, which includes a male or a female mounting interface. The gaming machine also includes a core module with an electrical bus that electrically connects to the display device. A core housing, which stows the electrical bus and supports the display module, includes the other one of the male and female mounting interfaces. The female mounting interface receives the male mounting interface such that moving the male interface into the female interface automatically aligns the display module with the core module and removably attaches the core housing to the display housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Glenn, II, Christian L. Castro, Larry J. Pacey, Paul M. Lesley, Walter E. Smolucha, Christopher W. Chudek
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Patent number: 9741200Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, module systems for providing gaming machines, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A module system is disclosed for providing gaming machines for conducting wagering games. The module system includes first and second display modules each with distinct dimensions and a respective display device operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a wagering game. The module system also includes first and second sets of outer fascia elements, and a core module with a housing that attaches to and supports the display modules, one at a time. Mounting the first display module and first set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides one distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and footprint, whereas mounting the second display module and second set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides another distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and/or footprint.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha, Christopher W. Chudek
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Publication number: 20170039803Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, module systems for providing gaming machines, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A module system is disclosed for providing gaming machines for conducting wagering games. The module system includes first and second display modules each with distinct dimensions and a respective display device operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a wagering game. The module system also includes first and second sets of outer fascia elements, and a core module with a housing that attaches to and supports the display modules, one at a time. Mounting the first display module and first set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides one distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and footprint, whereas mounting the second display module and second set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides another distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and/or footprint.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha, Christopher W. Chudek
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Patent number: 9514599Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, module systems for providing gaming machines, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A module system is disclosed for providing gaming machines for conducting wagering games. The module system includes first and second display modules each with distinct dimensions and a respective display device operable to display randomly selected outcomes of a wagering game. The module system also includes first and second sets of outer fascia elements, and a core module with a housing that attaches to and supports the display modules, one at a time. Mounting the first display module and first set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides one distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and footprint, whereas mounting the second display module and second set of fascia elements onto the core housing provides another distinct gaming machine configuration with a distinct appearance and/or footprint.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha, Christopher W. Chudek
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Publication number: 20160180656Abstract: A gaming system includes a secure communication board having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and/or a wireless interface accessible externally to players and administrators of the gaming system. The secure communication board selectively provides power and communication between a coupled or proximate mobile device and the gaming system. The secure communication board includes a microcontroller to selectively control both power and communication flow through the secure communication board to the external interfaces. The microcontroller is responsive to the physical state of gaming system components and gaming system processor events and control signals. A wagering game event, user authentication, and/or specific states of one or more physical security switches of the gaming system may be required to provide power and data via the external interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: TIMOTHY C. LOOSE, WALTER E. SMOLUCHA
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Patent number: 9050527Abstract: A wand-shaped handheld device tethered to a fixed structure in a gaming system by one or more cables wound around reels. The handheld device includes a button on a top thereof as a secondary input means. Motors coupled to the reels wind the cables or apply an opposing force to a pulling force applied to the device. Sensors detect how far the cables are retracted or pulled relative to the fixed structure. Haptic feedback devices impart tactile vibrations that are transmitted along the cable(s) and to the handheld device as the motor is pulling the handheld device toward the fixed structure or a player grasping the device is pulling it away from the fixed structure. Wagering game graphics are coordinated with the movement of the device so that movements or selection of the graphics are affected by inputs made by moving the handheld device or pressing its button.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Christopher W. Chudek, Scott A. Massing, Jesse Smith, Walter E. Smolucha, Craig J. Sylla, Jamie W. Vann
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Publication number: 20150087401Abstract: Gaming machines, gaming systems, modular gaming terminals, and methods for assembling modular gaming machines are disclosed. A gaming machine is presented which includes an input device for receiving wagers to play a wagering game, and a display module with a display device for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The display device is coupled to a display module housing, which includes a male or a female mounting interface. The gaming machine also includes a core module with an electrical bus that electrically connects to the display device. A core housing, which stows the electrical bus and supports the display module, includes the other one of the male and female mounting interfaces. The female mounting interface receives the male mounting interface such that moving the male interface into the female interface automatically aligns the display module with the core module and removably attaches the core housing to the display housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Robert J. Glenn, II, Christian L. Castro, Larry J. Pacey, Paul M. Lesley, Walter E. Smolucha, Christopher W. Chudek
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Patent number: D742974Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D843474Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D843475Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D843476Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D843477Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D843478Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D844062Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D882696Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D882697Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D882698Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha
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Patent number: D895019Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Larry J. Pacey, Walter E. Smolucha