Patents Assigned to GTech Corporation
  • Patent number: 8072651
    Abstract: An optical reader with a single optical assembly that receives images from at least two different environments. For example, one environment may be constructed in a first chamber into which a document or bulk item with a bar code may be placed. The other environment may be constructed in a second chamber with an active drive mechanism that transports a document with optical readable markings to a reading location. The environments may be separated by a baffle that prevents light from leaking between the environments, and the electronics and software are constructed to read and decode information that is found in the images from both environments either sequentially or simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GTech Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Bozzi, Henry J. Constant, Jr., Bruce I. Parkes
  • Patent number: 8059168
    Abstract: A triggering system and process for a form reader is shown using a histogram of the optical scene. The form reader is open on three sides with a camera facing a platen on to which a form is placed. The camera converts the light rays reflected from the platen into a video stream that is sent to a processor. A change in content of a first light intensity level contrasted to the content of a second light intensity level is used to determine when the form enters the scene. Illustratively, the first light intensity level represents black levels and the second light intensity levels represent white levels. A threshold is pre-determined that isolates the first light intensity content, and when the first light intensity content remains constant (after the presence of a form) the form is deemed to be still wherein the system may then read the information on the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GTech Corporation
    Inventor: Alexis J. Cournoyer
  • Patent number: 8028196
    Abstract: The present application discloses a preventative, diagnostic maintenance system designed for gaming systems. Sensor and software monitor, accumulate, store and share information for efficient maintenance of the gaming systems. Diagnostic and prognostic tests are run and results prioritized wherein minor and intermittent problems that indicate potential future problems are stored. When a technician visit is prescribed, the system will present via a GUI a visualization of the status of gamed devices, and, forearm the technician with the high and low priority information regarding the high priority problems along with the low priority problems for all the game devices at the same site. The technician will be able to bring the specific tools, programs and parts to service the high and the low priority problems of all the game devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Gtech Corporation
    Inventor: Bharat Kumar Gadher
  • Publication number: 20100272314
    Abstract: An optical reader of a form is discussed where the form has a stored known boundary or boundaries. When the boundaries in a captured image do not match those of the stored known boundaries, it may be determined that an obstruction exists that will interfere with a correct reading of the form. The boundary may be printed, blank, and may include quiet areas, or combinations thereof in stored known patterns. A captured image of the form is compared to retrieved, stored boundary information and differences are noted. The differences may be thresholded to determine if an obstruction exists. If an obstruction is detected, the operator may be signaled, and the location may be displayed or highlighted. The form may be discarded or obstruction may be cleared and the form may be re-processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Alexis J. Cournoyer, Frank Metayer, Carlos Cervantes Toral
  • Publication number: 20100160022
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for various lottery, gaming and other applications. The systems and methods may be configured to extract player selection data from a digital image of a selection slip or other document. The extraction of player selection data may be based on information read from the slip indicating how player-written marks found on the slip should be interpreted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas K. ORAM
  • Publication number: 20100121896
    Abstract: Various aspects are directed to random, number generation. A request from a game terminal for a random number may be received. Whether a new seed is required may be determined, for example, based on the time or quantity of random numbers generated since the last re-seeding. Conditioned on determining that the new seed is required, a pseudo-random number generator may re-seeded, wherein the re-seeding comprises setting a current seed value equal to the new seed. The pseudo-random number generator may generate a random number based at least in part on the current seed value; and transmit information based on the random number to the game terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas K. ORAM
  • Publication number: 20100113124
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the play of a multi-level game of chance. One example procedure includes receiving information indicating a player's entry in the multi-level game for a base round, the entry including at least one of a player-selected entry or a quick pick. The example procedure further includes, conditioned on the player winning the base round of the multi-level game, offering the player a choice between receiving a base prize and continued play of the multi-level game for at least an additional round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amir AMIRSADRI, Richard Finocchio
  • Publication number: 20100093421
    Abstract: A transaction card facilitates typical consumer transactions as well as transactions related to lottery offerings and can incorporate a reader terminal to associate lottery tickets with the transaction instrument. New gaming opportunities tied to the instrument are also facilitated, including a personalized guaranteed prize structure, a personalized and/or localized jackpot and an opportunity for winning additional prizes when making purchases using the instrument. The system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least a lottery data processing system for communicating a first funding amount to be applied to a multi-purpose transaction card based on winnings from a lottery offering, and a reader terminal for reading at least a portion of the transaction card, reading indicia on one or more gaming tickets, and associating the one or more gaming tickets with the transaction card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy B. Nyman, Richard G. Finocchio, Richard S. Meehan, Thomas K. Oram
  • Publication number: 20100075732
    Abstract: Systems and methods of facilitating the operation of a lottery system are disclosed. An example method may comprise determining winner display data for each of a plurality of lottery client. For each of a plurality of lottery clients, it may be determined whether historical winner data from the lottery client meets a predetermined criteria. The historical winner data for each lottery client may comprise a description of at least one prize won from a chance associated with the lottery client. If the historical winner data from the lottery client meets the predetermined criteria, then the winner display data may be set equal to the historical winner data. If the historical winner data from the lottery client does not meet the predetermined criteria, then the winner display data may be set equal to geographic historical winner data describing at least one prize won from a chance associated with a geographic area comprising the lottery client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Haley, Adam Russell Harben, Bobby B. Hatam, Aaron Michael Koll, Yeelong H. Lim, Thomas Stanek
  • Patent number: 7665394
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Roberts, David B. Petch
  • Publication number: 20090247256
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a multi-player and inter-player competitive wagering game in conjunction with a base game, such as a traditional wagering game such as Keno or other online lottery games. A group of players may all participate in the traditional wager game as a group, and the player in the group who has the best result in the base game may be awarded all or part of the total group winnings from the base lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Cornelius BARNES II, Felicia J. Germani, Thomas J. Napolitano, Mark Truman
  • Publication number: 20090247259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Napolitano
  • Publication number: 20090159610
    Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser includes a number of ticket bins mounted in a housing of the dispenser. The ticket bins hold a fanfold stack of tickets proximate a transparent front panel of the dispenser for optimum visibility. The ticket bins are adjustably mounted in the dispenser for proper positioning in one of a variety of positions depending upon the size and configuration of the stack of fanfold tickets. The tickets are transported from the ticket stack upwardly over a guide by a ticket transport mechanism for processing by a powered separator to separate the adjacent tickets apart prior to dispensing. Excessive stress is not placed on the tickets which in prior art dispensers resulted in prematurely bursting the perforated joints apart or damaging the tickets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GTECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis Woods, William E. Engelhardt, JR.
  • Patent number: 7548797
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing items from a pack of items wherein the pack of items has parameters associated therewith such as pack size, an item dimension and an item price. The apparatus includes an item dispenser, a cash acceptor, input and output devices, and a controller. The controller has an item load table for storing data corresponding to the parameters associated with the pack of items. Thus, the parameters in the item load table can be displayed by the output device in lieu of the parameters being manually entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Gtech Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Perin, Jr., David G. Wagoner, Brian J. Roberts
  • Patent number: D620049
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, George Voutes
  • Patent number: D620050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, George Voutes
  • Patent number: D620051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, Joseph G. Spanedda, Richard P. Rondeau
  • Patent number: D641419
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GTECH Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, Joseph Spanedda, Richard P. Rondeau
  • Patent number: D646331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Gtech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, George Voutes
  • Patent number: D646723
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Gtech Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Hultzman, George Voutes