Patents by Inventor William A. Grupp

William A. Grupp 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: 10233663
    Abstract: A grave site memorial assembly for housing an electronic display includes a base that has a lower surface. The lower surface is configured to couple to a tombstone. A fastener is coupled to an upper surface of the base and is configured to selectively couple to a display to position the display perpendicularly to the base. A housing that defines an interior space is configured to selectively couple to the base. The housing has a bottom that is open. The bottom is configured to insert the display to position the housing to couple to the base to sealably enclose the display in the interior space. An aperture is positioned in a front of the housing. A panel is coupled to the housing to cover the aperture. The panel is transparent so that the display is positioned to be viewed by persons proximate to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: William Grupp
  • Patent number: 7452271
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g., the ‘GO’ square); (6) a feature in which bonuses are awarded for completing groups of stations (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany
  • Patent number: 7195560
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g., the ‘GO’ square); (6) a feature in which bonuses are awarded for completing groups of stations (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany
  • Patent number: 6648757
    Abstract: A bonus game for a gaming machine with two types of awards. The bonus game includes a plurality of selection elements, a number of which are associated with an award of coin(s) or credit(s) and a number of which are associated with an end-bonus penalty. The game is played by selecting a number of the selection elements, one at a time, until encountering a selection element associated with an end-bonus penalty which ends the bonus game. A first award type in the bonus game is a selection-based award in which the player is credited an amount of coin(s) or credit(s) based on the value (or cumulative value) of the selection elements selected in the bonus game. A second award type in the bonus game is a quantity-based award in which the player is credited an amount of coin(s) or credit(s) based on the number of successful trials of the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Slomiany, William A. Grupp
  • Publication number: 20030199309
    Abstract: Gaining machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany
  • Publication number: 20030199307
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany
  • Publication number: 20030181238
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany
  • Patent number: 6520855
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which to movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 6508707
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 6506117
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 6482089
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g., the ‘GO’ square); (2) a feature in which bonuses are awarded for completing groups of stations (e.g., color groups); and (3) a feature in which the gaming machine includes two bonus modes, each entered upon certain symbol combinations in the basic game. The first bonus game provides an award selected from a plurality of fixed values and multipliers, and the second bonus game moves a token identifier on a game board and provides an award determined by the landing station of the token identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020142823
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020137561
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020137560
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Alfred Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020132659
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Joel R. Jaffe, Erica R. Frohm, Scott Slomiany, William Grupp, Robert J. Wilson, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 6315660
    Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. DeMar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Joel R. Jaffe, Scott Slomiany, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 6203429
    Abstract: A gaming machine is operated by a programmed micro-processor in which the first mode of operation, a basic gambling game, is implemented such as video poker or reel-type slot machine play. If bonus symbols are selected in the basic mode, a bonus mode is triggered. In the bonus mode the same or a different game is implemented by the micro-processor system employing a variable probability trial procedure in which the player continues to play and receive awards until a losing combination occurs. The hit rate for the bonus mode is often significantly greater than 50% although the overall hold percentage of the game remains below 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Demar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Scott Slomiany
  • Patent number: 6159098
    Abstract: A bonus game for a gaming machine with two types of awards. The bonus game includes a plurality of selection elements, a number of which are associated with an award of coin(s) or credit(s) and a number of which are associated with an end-bonus penalty. The game is played by selecting a number of the selection elements, one at a time, until encountering a selection element associated with an end-bonus penalty which ends the bonus game. A first award type in the bonus game is a selection-based award in which the player is credited an amount of coin(s) or credit(s) based on the value (or cumulative value) of the selection elements selected in the bonus game. A second award type in the bonus game is a quantity-based award in which the player is credited an amount of coin(s) or credit(s) based on the number of successful trials of the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Slomiany, William A. Grupp