Patents Assigned to Milestone Entertainment LLC
  • Patent number: 8529336
    Abstract: Forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof are described herein. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage for generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system. In one mode of operation, one or more mandated parameters are externally imposed, and variable parameters are selected such that the mandated parameters are met globally, and such that the user experience is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 8393946
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A player receives a ticket identification number (TIN), optionally via lottery game play, and then plays an electronic game based upon the TIN. The remote system contains information associated with the TIN, for example, identification of which game will be played, and in a predetermined context, whether the player is to win or lose, and if they win, the form of the prize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 8241110
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage or generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Randall Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 8241100
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electronic interaction comprising a display for presenting a grid of identifying objects, an input for receiving a player selection of an identifying object, a random generator for randomly selecting a winning identifying object, and a point tally system for awarding points to the player according to the rules comprising a first point value if the player selected identifying object exactly matches the winning identifying object, a second point value if the player selected identifying object is in a geometric relationship with the winning identifying object, and a third, negative, point value if the player is not awarded the first point value or the second point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 7967292
    Abstract: A variety of games and methods for enhancing game play are provided. In one aspect, a secondary or ancillary game is played in parallel with a first game, such as a lottery ball draw. Yet another game involves the selection of items which a player or participant believes had been selected by an audience as not being the most popular. In yet another aspect, an interstitial progressive sequencing of programming is provided, such as where a series of short segments are presented at differing times throughout an evening of prime time programming. Audience participation may be enhanced by permitting Internet access to the game system, and to permit remote users to play along as if they were in studio participants or part of the studio audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson, Andrew Felsher
  • Patent number: 7798896
    Abstract: Forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof are described herein. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage for generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system. In one mode of operation, one or more mandated parameters are externally imposed, and variable parameters are selected such that the mandated parameters are met globally, and such that the user experience is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 7422213
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player. A negative result could be an additional strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Publication number: 20070129144
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for game play using virtual players, sometimes referred to herein as vBots, is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for game play involves the use of the system electronic system environment described herein, wherein one or more virtual players are displayed to the player of the game, preferably, the virtual players have differing play characteristics, receiving from the user association with a selection of a virtual player, displaying a simulated game using the virtual players, identifying a subset of the virtual players as being winners of the simulated game, and awarding a win to the lottery user if the selected virtual player is in the subset of virtual players. In this way, the player of the game is selecting a virtual player to do the playing of the base game, thereby providing the excitement of player participation in a game of skill or chance, yet not actually be playing the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Randall Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 7052010
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player. A negative result could be an additional strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Publication number: 20040259631
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage for generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system. In one mode of operation, one or more mandated parameters are externally imposed, and variable parameters are selected such that the mandated parameters are met globally, and such that the user experience is optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: MILESTONE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Randall M. Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 6811484
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Patent number: 6749198
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Publication number: 20030189288
    Abstract: A device for characterizing a cell or particle includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel containing a moving fluid therein for carrying the cell or particle from the inlet to the outlet. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of a cell or particle along portion of the channel, the detector including a first detecting position, a second detecting position, and a third detecting position. The device further includes a light source providing an optical gradient disposed within the channel and between the second and third detecting positions. A control system is coupled to the detector to receive and process detected signals from the detector. During operation, the amount of time that a cell or particle takes to flow through a first distance (i.e., its time-off-flight) is measured. The cell or particle is then flowed past a second, downstream distance in the presence of an optical gradient and its time-of-flight is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randal Mark Katz, Gary Dawson, Andrew Felsher
  • Publication number: 20030102625
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Publication number: 20030060257
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
  • Publication number: 20030060261
    Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A player receives a ticket identification number (TIN), optionally via lottery game play, and then plays an electronic game based upon the TIN. The remote system contains information associated with the TIN, for example, identification of which game will be played, and in a predetermined context, whether the player is to win or lose, and if they win, the form of the prize. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Milestone Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson