Patents Assigned to Casino Data Systems
  • Patent number: 6071190
    Abstract: A gaming device security system is disclosed which includes two processing areas linked together and communicating critical gaming functions via a security protocol wherein each transmitted gaming function includes a specific encrypted signature to be decoded and validated before being processed by either processing area. The two processing areas include a first processing area having a dynamic RAM and an open architecture design which is expandable without interfering or accessing critical gaming functions and a second "secure" processing area having a non-alterable memory for the storage of critical gaming functions therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Steven A. Weiss, Rex R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6068101
    Abstract: A gaming machine and method including a housing having a door which exposes a currency mechanism along a medial portion thereof and located between a side wall and a monitor. This strategic location of the currency mechanism allows clearance for an underlying coin hopper so as to minimize the need for an external currency mechanism and to provide access to the coin hopper in a much more maintenance friendly manner for tending to the coin hopper and currency mechanisms, e.g. for filling, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Robert M. Dickenson, Richard Jay Schneider, Joseph Wesley Cole, Linn A. McKay
  • Patent number: 6039648
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an automated tournament gaming system (10) comprising a central server computer (20) operatively coupled to, inter alia, a plurality of gaming machine G.sub.1, G.sub.2 . . . G.sub.N for automatically harnessing any of the gaming machines for automatically inciting and running a tournament where a group of players are participating for a period after which prizes are awarded to the winning tournament play participants. In addition, the system (10) includes a host site computer (200) operatively coupled to a plurality of the central servers (20) at a variety of remote gaming sites C.sub.1, C.sub.2 . . . C.sub.N for providing a multi-site progressive automated tournament gaming system (210). The multi-site system (210) is integrated into the system (10) to increase the winnings, progressive amounts and the total buy-ins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Robert Guinn, David Richards
  • Patent number: 5947821
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a card game which provides a player with an initial choice of selecting at least one card from a plurality of cards to be designated as a wild card. The player then receives a random first hand from a full deck of cards. The first hand of cards are compared with the designated wild card to determine all matching cards and designating all matching cards in the first hand as wild cards. The player may then be provided with the option of replacing cards in the first hand with cards remaining in the deck. All replacement cards which match the wild card will also become wild. The player is also provided with an option of buying a second wild card after a losing card hand. This provides the player with an opportunity to change a losing card hand into a winning card hand. After a winning card hand the player is provided with a double or nothing option which provides a further dynamic game exchange between player and game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Jay Stone
  • Patent number: 5919088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a gaming event in which a player is awarded outright for a winning combination and also allowed to participate in the incremental exposition of a potential reward subsequently based on losing, where the losing simulates unlocking the combination of a safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5839957
    Abstract: A reel mechanism for use in a gaming machine including an integrally formed stepping motor/encoder assembly operatively coupled to a rotatable reel having an annular row of various symbols which are to be sequentially displayed in a visual field. The stepping motor/encoder assembly includes an integrally formed encoder wheel and sensing means. A processor/controller is operatively coupled to the stepping motor/encoder assembly for controlling the stepping motor drive signals, reading signals from the sensing means and storing in an associated memory a plurality of encoded reel stop positions which are a representation of physical stop positions on the reel. The processor/controller signals the stepping motor to spin the reel and while the reel is spinning, a random number generator means associated with the processor/controller determines a reel stop which corresponds to a specific position of a the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Richard Schneider, Jay Stone, Thomas Miner
  • Patent number: 5833538
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically switching between any of a plurality of theoretical expectations on a gaming or amusement device of the kind where the outcome is determined by a combination of random or pseudo-random events yielding an associated score from a table of values. Any one of a plurality of predetermined random "trigger" events will cause the amusement or gaming device to automatically vary the likelihood of certain random events, without altering the associated score for any particular outcome, for a minimum "duration" period. By altering the likelihood of any particular outcome, the device will operate at a different theoretical expectation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5813914
    Abstract: A slant top video gaming cabinet including a top cap assembly having a display panel on a surface facing pedestrian traffic which includes means for efficient changeover. The cabinet is formed from sheet metal and allows economy in fabrication. In addition, the geometry of the cabinet promotes access only within sequestered areas by authorized personnel so that various components of the cabinet can be addressed only by appropriate personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Linn A. McKay, Robert M. Dickenson
  • Patent number: 5772509
    Abstract: An interactive gaming device allowing a dynamic exchange between player and the gaming device including a plurality of first gaming machines all driven by a random number generator and a second gaming means capable of being influenced by any of the players engaged in the first gaming devices upon qualifying, said second gaming device influenced by a random number generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5611730
    Abstract: A progressive gaming system (10) which enables slot machines (100) at a variety of independent non-restricted gaming locations (casino sites) (80) to contribute to and compete for a set of common jackpots. The system (10) provides a secure and reliable real-time progressive system that is capable of operating on a variety of different manufacturers' makes and models of slot machines (100). A tightly controlled computer network (22) at a host site (20) oversees the entire system (10) and is the master for computing all jackpots. All participating casino sites (80) report to, and receive information from, the host site (20) exclusively. A casino site master controller (82) at each casino site is responsible for, inter alia, all data communication between the casino hardware and software and the host site (20). In addition, each "bank" (a group of attached gaming machines) at a casino site (80) has a bank controller (120) and progressive meter display (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Patent number: D383802
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventor: Richard Levy
  • Patent number: D388469
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Robert M. Dickenson, Richard Jay Schnelder, Joseph Wesley Cole, Linn A. McKay
  • Patent number: D404077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Robert M. Dickenson, Richard Jay Schneider, Joseph Wesley Cole, Paul Burnell
  • Patent number: D424122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Casino Data Systems
    Inventors: Robert M. Dickenson, Richard Jay Schneider, Joseph Wesley Cole, Linn A. McKay