Patents Assigned to Bally Gaming, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10510207
    Abstract: A gaming system includes logic circuitry and a gaming machine for conducting a casino wagering game. The logic circuitry receives, via an acoustic input component of the gaming machine, an acoustic capture signal representative of a player account identifier corresponding to a player account from a mobile device, determines the player account identifier represented by the capture signal, and associates a gaming session on the gaming machine with the corresponding player account. In addition, the logic circuitry, in response to receiving in a prescribed manner, via the acoustic input component, an acoustic maintain-session signal from the mobile device, maintains the association between the gaming session on the gaming machine and the corresponding player account for a period of time, In response to failing to receive the maintain-session signal in the prescribed manner, the logic circuitry terminates the association between the gaming session and the corresponding player account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lyons, Ronald Gray
  • Patent number: 10504320
    Abstract: A gaming table includes graphene ink-enabled electronic features such as conductors, light or sound emitters, light detectors, touch or object detectors or displays. Conductive graphene ink may be printed on a gaming table fabric or felt which forms a playing surface of the gaming table. The graphene ink-enabled electronic features may be coupled to or controlled by one or more controllers and be integrated into associated gaming systems. The graphene ink-enabled features may replace large, expensive individual electronic components which must be assembled to implement functionality at a gaming table or other gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jacques, Real Berube
  • Patent number: 10502360
    Abstract: Presented herein are gaming systems, electronic gaming machines, and mounting bracket assemblies for mounting display assemblies to gaming cabinets. An electronic gaming machine is disclosed which includes a gaming cabinet and an electronic display assembly with one or more video display panels mounted to a display housing. Each video display panel displays aspects of a wagering game. A mounting bracket assembly includes a first bracket attached to the display housing (or gaming cabinet), and a second bracket attached to the gaming cabinet (or display housing). The first bracket includes a connecting plate with one or more ramped channels and a stopping member. The second bracket includes a connecting plate with one or more ramped rails and a stopping member. The display assembly is mounted onto the cabinet by sliding each ramped rail of the first bracket into a respective ramped channel of the second bracket and mating the stopping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Paul M. Lesley
  • Patent number: 10504337
    Abstract: A card game monitor manages play of a game with a video feed of casino table game play. A dealer deals a game using a card-handling device that randomizes and dispenses cards, which may be grouped into sets of hands by the card-handling device. A card recognition system recognizes card information including rank and suit of each card dispensed by the card-handling device while each card is under control of the card-handling device. A camera captures a video feed of casino table game play, which is transmitted to a computing device operated by a player. A control system receives the card information from the card recognition device and manages control of the game using hand information associated with players. Player action elections from the computing device are displayed to a dealer. The player provides a player action through the computing device, which is used to facilitate play of the casino table game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Mark L. Yoseloff, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Patent number: 10486055
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • Patent number: 10487542
    Abstract: An electronic lock and system particularly for replacing existing mechanical locks for enclosures including gaming devices are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a cabinet having a chassis and a main gaming device door locked by a mechanical lock. The electronic lock is configured to have a profile to replace the existing mechanical locks and includes a rotatable bolt receiving a sleeve. In a retained and locked position the sleeve is within the lock barrel and an operator is nested in a pocket in the barrel head. Upon receiving a command a motor rotates a cam and the sleeve is released to axially move to release the operator from the pocket for rotation of the sleeve and bolt to unlock the door. Sensors sense for fault conditions. Authentication is required to provoke the opening command. Opening events may be logged at a system server or local memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Kay Daniel Vetter, Joseph R. Hedrick, Scott Thomas Hilbert
  • Patent number: 10482712
    Abstract: Gaming systems and methods are set forth designed to promote user loyalty with an enterprise. The user obtains a virtual object such as a virtual dog and earns the ability to acquire accessories or upgrades for their virtual dog through interaction with the enterprise. Certain accessories or upgrades may only be acquired or restored at a physical, brick and mortar venue for the enterprise to encourage the user to visit the venue. Acquisition of attributes such as accessories and upgrades may provide a basis for tournaments and prizes. The virtual object may be accessed and displayed at terminals at the venue or at remote devices. Acquisition of virtual objects may be used to qualify the user for a feature such as a progressive jackpot game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Link, Kiran Brahmandam
  • Patent number: 10482705
    Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, audio output devices, visual display devices, and information processors. At least one visual display device visually depicts a plurality of visual presentations and at least one audio output device renders audio selectively mixed from corresponding audio components of the visual presentations. At least one processor receives and processes information from at least one input device to determine a region of focused attention by the player with respect to the visual display devices. Using the region of focused attention, a corresponding primary visual presentation is determined from the plurality of visual presentations. The corresponding audio components of the plurality of presentations are selectively mixed such that the audio component of the primary visual presentation is dominant on at least one audio output device. The plurality of visual presentations may also be rearranged or altered to visually highlight the primary visual presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Martin Lyons, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joel Jaffe, Kenneth Shawn Soong
  • Patent number: 10474316
    Abstract: A video gaming system is disclosed that includes one or more game processors, one or more video displays, an apparatus for a player to control the play of the game, and a memory device. The memory device stores a set of fixed instructions to control the game processor and is configured to: enable the player to interact with the game interface to select a game from a list of games offered by the video gaming machine, wherein the game is represented by a game bubble floating in the game interface; display a game selection interface to enable the player to select the game and add the game in a control panel, wherein the control panel is configured to display multiple games selected by the player; and enable the player to switch among the plurality of games and control a game play of the plurality of games concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Hilbert, Joseph R. Hedrick, David Ponce, Yogendrasinh Hematji Rajput, Prateek Kumar Baishkhiyar, Ravi Subramanian, Pratima Mary Yedluri
  • Patent number: 10467852
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from both a first wagering game application and from a second wagering game application. The first and second wagering game applications can be independent wagering game applications played by a player account during a wagering game session. The operations can further include determining some portion of the second content (e.g., three-dimensional objects) that appears to originate from a second-application domain (e.g., from within confines of the second wagering game application), and presenting the portion of the second content within a first-application domain (e.g., within confines of the first wagering game application). In some embodiments, the operations can further include presenting the portion of the second content interacting with the first content within the first-application domain (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Marwan Y. Ansari, Robert W. Morgan, III, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: 10467846
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating system functions with gaming functions via a display screen of a gaming device. The system includes a gaming interface in communication with at least a first processor and a systems interface in communication with at least a second processor. The gaming interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays wagering game content received from the first processor, and receives first inputs delivered to the first processor to perform the gaming functions associated with the wagering game content. The systems interface is incorporated within the display screen of the gaming device, displays non-gaming system content received from a system network via the second processor, and receives second inputs delivered to the system network via the second processor to perform the system functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Morrow, Marvin A. Hein
  • Patent number: 10460552
    Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one reel mechanism for a gaming machine. Each reel mechanism comprises a rotatable cylindrical reel basket, a light shield, and one or more light boards having first and second stationary light sources affixed thereon. The reel basket has first and second opposing light-diffusing rims and a symbol-bearing reel strip extending between the rims. The first and second stationary light sources are positioned to illuminate the first (and second) rim with first light and the reel strip with second light, respectively. The first and second light sources are positioned on opposite sides of a light shield. The light shield is positioned along and inside the first rim and inhibits the first light from illuminating a symbol-bearing region of the reel strip. A light guide is positioned between the first light sources and the first rim to maximize the flow of first light to the first rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Miller, Sr., Michael D. Owens
  • Patent number: 10460565
    Abstract: A gaming system comprising a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game. The gaming machine includes an electronic display device and one or more electronic input devices and game-logic circuitry configured to detect and accept a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance. The game-logic circuitry initiates the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, increments one or more progressive jackpots associated with the wagering game, conducts a skill-based bonus game that awards portions of the incremented progressive jackpot based on skillful inputs of a player and receives a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to alter one or more aspects of the skill-based bonus game to maintain the average return to player (RTP) within an acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Vann
  • Patent number: 10445975
    Abstract: A bonus display and gaming machine with a bonus display are disclosed, The bonus display includes a square video display arranged in a diamond pattern to display content such as a bonus wheel. Back illuminated inner and outer rings are mounted to cover at least portions of the video display and are back illuminated by, for example, light emitting diodes. To accommodate one or more pointers displayed on the video display the inner ring includes a cut-out to reveal each video pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon Bernard, Karl Wudtke
  • Patent number: 10441873
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling cards has a dispensing end. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Paul K. Scheper, Sion D. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10424150
    Abstract: Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable cross platform persistent sessions using a mobile device in a mobile device-enhanced system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method may include enabling a cross platform session in a system that includes a kiosk that presents a presentation, and a computing device distinct from the kiosk, both in communication with one another. The method may include associating the computing device with the kiosk. The computing device may have one or more displays. The method may include receiving, by the computing device, reformatted graphical data from the kiosk. The method may include presenting the presentation on the one or more displays of the computing device using the reformatted graphical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin S. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10417865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for preventing replay attacks for mobile promotions associated with promotion devices. Upon the occurrence of a promotion winning event such as a designated outcome of a game played on the promotion device the user, via a software application accessible to their mobile device, forwards images of the event to a server over a network. The server determines entitlement to the promotion and analyzes data associated with the images and mobile device location and time to confirm that the event is new promotion winning event. Upon such confirmation an entitlement to the promotion is awarded to the user. The foregoing prevents unscrupulous users from logging multiple claims for the same promotion winning event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lyons, Bryan M. Kelly, John Sommer
  • Patent number: 10406426
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method comprising: operating a primary controller to present a first wagering game on a gaming terminal, the first wagering game including first content from a first content source; operating a secondary controller to present a second wagering game on the same or another game terminal, the second wagering game including second content from a second content source; accessing, by the second controller, funds from a first credit meter associated with the first wagering game; and electronically routing accessed funds from the first credit meter to a second credit meter associated with the second wagering game to fund one or more wagers for the second wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Gagner, Damon E. Gura, Craig J. Sylla
  • Patent number: D871506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Christian L. Castro, Robert J. Glenn, II, Paul M. Lesley
  • Patent number: D872189
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Vernon Bernard, Robert J. Glenn, II, Scott T. Hilbert, Christian Kulujian, Paul M. Lesley, Gordon Myers, Karl Wudtke