Patents Represented by Attorney Andrew B. Chen
  • Patent number: 7780534
    Abstract: Various methods for presenting a game on a gaming machine having a movable top box are disclosed herein. According to one method, the gaming machine receives player input initiating a game. A game outcome is presented on a primary display of the gaming machine. The top box of the gaming machine is moved in response to a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Wudtke
  • Patent number: 7775888
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming machines having movable top boxes. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a main cabinet having a first display for presenting a game and an extendable top box coupled to the top of the main cabinet. In one embodiment, the top box includes a front surface and an opposite back surface. The top box abuts the top of the main cabinet in a first position, and the top box is in a vertical position away from the top of the main cabinet in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Wudtke
  • Patent number: 7727072
    Abstract: A gaming system having a plurality of primary game devices sharing a secondary bonus station is disclosed. The secondary game station comprises a secondary game which is configured to provide play pursuant to a triggering event originating from any one of the primary game devices in the gaming environment. The secondary game station is equipped with controls suitable for playing the secondary game. During play of the secondary game station, the triggering primary game device may also be “locked” so that the player may resume playing the primary game subsequent to playing the secondary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Crowder, Jr., John Francis LaSalvia, Warren Rapelye White, Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7699697
    Abstract: A simulated auction bonusing game and method usable with games of chance, where one player terminal triggers a bonus round and is deemed a “seller” in the simulated auction, and all other active player terminals in a bank also participate as simulated “buyers.” The “seller” makes choices of items to sell which are communicated to the “buyers.” The “seller” watches are simulated bids are placed on their items, and “buyers” participate in simulated bidding of items shown on their screens. All the machines are synchronized so that the simulated auction bonus rounds play simultaneously. The seller and all buyers are awarded some winnings, enabling all player's terminals that run the simultaneous simulated auction bonus round to win each time the simulated auction bonus game is invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Darrah, Jeff Mincey, Jason Deen, Nick Greenwood, DePalma Michael
  • Patent number: 7682244
    Abstract: A system and method for determined, issuing, and using promotion based awards and games based on those awards that encompass granularity and diversity of individually enforceable options, such as individual games at specified locations, heretofore not achievable in a gaining environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Luciano, Jr., Robert William Crowder, Russ Frederick Marsden
  • Patent number: 7481707
    Abstract: Presented is a system and method for generating bingo game bonuses that are non-banked, for use with pooled bingo games. The system generates pools of money for use in bingo games by deducting a percentage of the amount used to purchase bingo cards (in the present invention, virtual bingo cards). Each bingo game automatically enrolls active players in one or more bonus games, exemplified by “4 corners,” where the amounts to be given away to players as bonuses are calculated to be equal, over time, to the amount taken in from players buying bingo cards. The house has no stake in the bonus awards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Warren R. White
  • Patent number: 7437147
    Abstract: Disclosed is a remote lottery ticket purchasing or gaming event bet placement system using E-911 compliant cell phones. E-911 compliant cell phones provide the location of the caller, enabling the system of the present invention to determine in which jurisdiction the caller is located. The system further uses at least one identifier that the caller must provide, allowing an age check to be made. The use of both pieces of information, location and age, is used by the system to remotely purchase lottery tickets or make bets in full legal accordance with what is allowed in the caller's jurisdiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Luciano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7374491
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a video display and gaming controls fixed within the machine so that the surfaces of the display and controls are at an angle that provides enhanced ergonomics and increased interior space within the gaming machine. A hopper with a tall and narrow shape stores a large number of coins while increasing interior space. A video connection system allows a video cable to connect the video display and PC of the gaming machine without the cable being substantially bent, thereby increasing interior space. Multiple heat dispensing devices and a vent having fins directed inward and upward into the machine efficiently dispense heat from within the gaming machine while allowing the rear of machine to be placed very close to another surface. A multiple pin deck latch mechanism reduces wobbling when the deck is closed. Also, redemption tickets are dispensed into the same receptacle as coins are dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Johnson
  • Patent number: 7361089
    Abstract: A reel spinning gaming device comprises a plurality of selectable reels, where a subset of the selectable reels is the initial active reels. The actuating system is operatively associated with the selectable reels and generates an outcome symbol combination for the active reels. The prize controller determines whether a prize is to be awarded based upon the outcome symbol combination. In one embodiment, the prize controller also initiates a bonus game when a triggering event is present. The reselection system designates a new set of active reels the bonus game(s). The new set of active reels comprises one or more newly active reels and one or more remaining active reels, and the outcome symbols from the one or more newly active reels are used in conjunction with the outcome symbols from the remaining active reels to produce a outcome symbol combination for one or more bonus games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence G. Daly, David B. Schultz, Marvin A. Hein