Patents Assigned to Video Gaming Technologies
  • Patent number: 10672232
    Abstract: A gaming machine identifies a first pattern within a first play area including a plurality of first positions arranged in a plurality of first columns, determines whether the first pattern satisfies a predetermined first threshold based on a first position and a first symbol, identifies a second position associated with the first symbol in a second play area including a plurality of second positions arranged in a plurality of second columns, and associates the second position with a second symbol. Each first position is associated with a respective symbol of a plurality of symbols including the first symbol and the second symbol. The first pattern is associated with the first position. The first position is associated with the first symbol. Each second position is associated with a respective symbol of the plurality of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Peters, Zachary Thomas Schmid, Craig Ronald Kelly, Brandon Mason, Edgar Portigal
  • Patent number: 10636256
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a display, a processor, and a memory device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to at least display a plurality of reels, each of the plurality of reels comprising a plurality of symbol display positions, establish a credit balance in response to a receipt of a credit input via the credit input mechanism, initiate a play of a game in response to a wager, for at least one of the plurality of symbol display positions for each of the plurality of reels, determine and display a symbol from a set of symbols, determine that a first unfolding of the first instance of the unfolding symbol should occur based on a first probability, and expand the active play area beyond the border based on the first instance of the unfolding symbol appearing adjacent to the border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lyndsay Nelson, Ryan Cuddy, Zachary Schmid
  • Patent number: 10614666
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a processor and a presentation device coupled to the processor. The processor is programmed to determine that a free play trigger condition is satisfied, and to execute one or more free plays based on the free play trigger condition to create one or more free play outcomes. Each free play outcome is a winning free play outcome or a non-winning free play outcome. The presentation device is configured to present winning free play outcomes when at least one free play outcome is a winning free play outcome. Non-winning free play outcomes are not presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daniel Eubanks, Richard Kerr Sisson, Jeremy Michael Webb, Steve Nicodemus, Sarah Jean Gozdecki
  • Patent number: 10504319
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided, a cabinet having a longitudinal axis, a display coupled to the cabinet, and a display transition system. The display transition system is configured for selectively moving the display relative to the cabinet in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and between a closed position in which game play at the gaming machine is enabled and an open position in which game play is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Priddy
  • Patent number: 10504323
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a frame, a gaming machine coupled to the frame, and an interactive device extending about at least a portion of a periphery of the frame. The gaming machine includes a presentation device configured to present a message associated with an interaction of a player with the gaming system. The interactive device is configured to detect the interaction of the player with the interactive device, and present feedback to the player based on the detection of the interaction of the player with the interactive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Pinder, William Douglas Lamb
  • Patent number: 10490022
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of authenticating a memory of a gaming machine uses a computing device having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The method includes identifying a first subset of the memory including one or more operational data components associated with operating the gaming machine. The method also includes identifying a second subset of the memory. At least some of the second subset of the memory is distinct from the first subset of the memory. The method further includes authenticating the first subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in a disabled state. The method also includes enabling operation of the gaming machine after said authenticating the first subset of the memory if the authentication of the first subset of the memory is successful. The method further includes authenticating the second subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in an enabled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Oberberger
  • Patent number: 10463949
    Abstract: A gaming machine receives a first play input at a first gaming machine, determines a first quantity of play areas based on a first wager, generates at least one first play area based on the determined first quantity, and determines whether the at least one first play area satisfies a predetermined first threshold. At least a portion of the first wager associated with the first play input is allocated to a progressive jackpot. At least a first portion of the progressive jackpot is allocated to the first gaming machine when the at least one first play area satisfies the predetermined first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Yarbrough, Ryan Cuddy, Mike Oberberger
  • Patent number: 10431046
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes a display, a user interface, and a processor. The display is configured to present a player with a choice among at least first and second game presentation objects for a bingo game. A selection of the first game presentation object is made by the player through the user interface. The processor is coupled to the user interface and the display. The processor is configured to respectively associate the first and second game presentation objects to first and second bingo cards. The processor is further configured to receive the selection and admit the first bingo card to the bingo game according to the association between the first game presentation object and the first bingo card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Hoover
  • Patent number: 10363480
    Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a cabinet, a peripheral device coupled to the cabinet, a curved video display, and a processor is provided. The curved video display includes an edge surface of the curved video display that is in contact with the peripheral device. The gaming machine includes a processor that programmed to display, on the curved video display, a graphic adjacent to and associated with the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Hennessy, Ryan Cuddy, Jason Todd Sprinkle, Paul W. Mellender
  • Patent number: 10354483
    Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher John Thacker, Daniel William Milligan, Stephen Wade Brooks
  • Patent number: 10354486
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided, including a display, a credit input device, a non-transitory memory, and a processor. The display is configurable to selectively present a centrally determined game and a non-centrally determined game. The credit input device is used to establish a credit balance for wagering on the centrally determined game and the non-centrally determined game. The non-transitory memory stores a centrally determined game engine and a non-centrally determined game engine. The processor is coupled to the non-transitory memory and the display, and is configured to select a game engine from the centrally determined game engine and the non-centrally determined game engine, and execute the selected game engine and a corresponding game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William Harvie, Christopher Rowe
  • Patent number: 10304288
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes an input device and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to receive a game play event from a player. The processor is programmed to determine whether a jackpot trigger condition is satisfied based at least in part on the game play event. The jackpot trigger condition includes a target quantity of games played, a target set of game tokens, a target pattern of game symbols, and/or a target pattern of game play outcomes. The processor is further programmed to award a jackpot credit to one or more players when the jackpot trigger condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel William Milligan, Christopher John Thacker, Stephen Wade Brooks, Jason Todd Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 10258869
    Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a game controller to select symbols from the memory, cause the display to display the selected symbols at the display positions, determine if the displayed symbols include a predetermined symbol, and if the predetermined symbol lands on the pay line, in response to the predetermined symbol landing on the pay line, 1) cause the display to animate the first plurality of anticipation states on the pay line, and 2) randomly determine whether to transition the predetermined symbol to the second plurality of free spin states, in response to determining the predetermined symbol transitioning to the second plurality of free spin states, cause the display to animate the second plurality of free spin states on the pay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Victor Ludwick
  • Patent number: 10249145
    Abstract: A game system and method plays an electronic game and simulates the outcome as a keno game. The game system allows a player to place a wager, plays the electronic game, and establishes an outcome of the electronic game. The outcome of the electronic game includes a payout according to a first pay table if a set of predetermined conditions has been achieved. The outcome of the game is simulated as a keno game. The outcome of the keno game is equivalent to the outcome of the electronic game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 10230257
    Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus for use with an electronic gaming machine includes a pushbutton, a housing supporting the pushbutton and configured to be mounted in a pushbutton assembly of the electronic gaming machine, and a wireless charging device mounted between the pushbutton and the housing, wherein the wireless charging device is configured to wirelessly charge an electronic communications device, such as a mobile communications device, disposed over the pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Fredrick Dawson, III
  • Patent number: 10163300
    Abstract: The gaming system that includes a first gaming machine operated by a first player at a first location and a second gaming machine operated by a second player at a second location. The second location is remote from the first. The first gaming machine is configured to present a game to the first player upon receipt of a wager from the first player. The second gaming machine is configured to present the game to the second player upon receipt of a wager from the second player. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive a request to execute a game play event for the first player. In response to the request, the processor is configured to execute the game play event for the first player and the second player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 10157518
    Abstract: A communication device presents a targeted message to a user associated with a communication device. The communication device includes a sensor configured to receive a first signal from a first beacon, and a computing device programmed to determine a plurality of first parameters associated with the communication device based on the first signal, and determine a message for presentation on the communication device based on at least one of the plurality of first parameters. The plurality of first parameters include a first zone associated with the communication device and a first state associated with the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Johnson, Lawrence Acosta Hysler, III
  • Patent number: 10096211
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a plurality of reels associated with the game of chance. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of reel positions to generate a symbol thereon. The gaming machine also includes a display including a defined plurality of positions to present a symbol thereon. The gaming machine also includes a processor programmed to generate a spin of the plurality of reels. The spin results in a play area including one or more symbols generated from each of the plurality of reels. The processor is also programmed to identify a first unfolding symbol in a first position on the play area, determine a second position on the play area adjacent to the first position, and display a second unfolding symbol in the second position on based at least in part on the determining, thereby unfolding the first unfolding symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lyndsay Nelson, Ryan Cuddy, Zachary Schmid
  • Patent number: 10078937
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided, including a display, a credit input device, a non-transitory memory, and a processor. The display is configurable to selectively present a centrally determined game and a non-centrally determined game. The credit input device is used to establish a credit balance for wagering on the centrally determined game and the non-centrally determined game. The non-transitory memory stores a centrally determined game engine and a non-centrally determined game engine. The processor is coupled to the non-transitory memory and the display, and is configured to select a game engine from the centrally determined game engine and the non-centrally determined game engine, and execute the selected game engine and a corresponding game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William Harvie, Christopher Rowe
  • Patent number: 10068420
    Abstract: A gaming system that includes a server and a first gaming machine communicatively coupled to the server, wherein the first gaming machine includes an input device configured to receive game play events from a first player operating the first gaming machine. The gaming system further includes one or more additional gaming machines communicatively coupled to the server, wherein each of the one or more additional gaming machines is operated by a respective player. The gaming system also includes a processor programmed to provide a game of chance on the first gaming machine, determine that a triggering event as occurred, and based on the triggering event, enable one of the one or more players on one of the one or more additional gaming machines to execute a game play event for the first player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Yarbrough