Patents Examined by Andrew Kim
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Patent number: 8845409Abstract: A player is permitted to reinvest winnings to play additional instances of an online game. In one specific example, the player may choose, at a point of sale (POS), a reinvestment option that specifies how winnings are used to automatically purchase additional game instances. In one example game format, the player may be permitted to select a reinvestment option at the point of initial purchase of the game. The player may be permitted, for example, to limit his/her reinvestment as a function of their initial investment. In another example, the primary game result is driven by the result of a secondary game, such as a lottery or casino-based drawing (e.g., a Keno drawing). The secondary game is then played, and any additional plays as a result of the reinvestment are also played. Results of the secondary game and the additional games are sent to an online gaming system.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Steven N. Kane, Mark E. Herrmann, Bijan Sabet, Dow Hardy
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Patent number: 8795062Abstract: A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming devices; a common physical group game display comprising a an object arranged to travel on a path relative to the plurality of gaming devices; and a group game controller in data communication with the plurality of gaming devices and the group game display, the group game controller configured to: determine a game outcome of a group game; and control movement of the object relative to the plurality of gaming devices based on the game outcome.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Pty LimitedInventor: Nicholas Luke Bennett
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Patent number: 8747217Abstract: A system for enabling a player to use residual credits on a gaming machine to provide the player with a chance to win a prize. The system includes means for determining a range of values as a function of a jackpot pool to generate randomly an outcome in the range of values, random number generation means for generating the random outcome, means for determining a range of outcome values of the player that provides a chance of the player winning the jackpot pool, and means for determining whether the generated random outcome matches any outcome value of the player.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.Inventor: Stephen William Byng
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Patent number: 8734245Abstract: Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Kenneth J. Eichmann, Paul J. Ferrara
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Patent number: 8727867Abstract: A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a maze-based game similar to the well-known game of PAC-MAN.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings LimitedInventors: Steven N. Kane, Dow K. Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann, Paul LaRocca, Bijan Sabet, Jason Yanowitz
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Patent number: 8696445Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Larry J. Pacey, Peter R. Anderson, Jeremy M. Hornik
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Patent number: 8678900Abstract: Methods of playing games and gaming systems and devices useful for playing games. Gaming devices include a first gaming unit for randomly selecting and displaying indicia associated with play of a primary game and for generating a signal relating to play on the first gaming unit. The gaming device also includes a second gaming unit connected to the first gaming unit for conducting an ongoing bonus game and enabling participation by a player in the ongoing bonus game in response to a signal generated by the first gaming unit. The ongoing bonus game may be administered by and communicated from a second gaming unit in the form of a host server to a number of networked gaming devices. Players may enter and exit play of the ongoing bonus game while it is still in progress, participating only in a segment thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Lee E. Cannon, Don G. DuPerault
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Patent number: 8668568Abstract: Methods and systems of determining the approximate location of a terminal are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer system receives from a first mobile computer terminal and/or from a communication system in communication with the first mobile computer terminal, global positioning satellite and/or cellular network location data, wherein the location data corresponds to the approximate location of the first mobile computer terminal. Based at least in part on the location data, the system determines if the first mobile computer terminal is within a first area, wherein presence in the first area is needed in order to be authorized to access a first service. The system, at least partly in response to failing to determine that the first mobile terminal is in the first area, transmits to the first mobile computer terminal location information regarding at least a first location in the first area.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Ticketmaster, L.L.C.Inventors: Dennis Denker, Adam Sussman, MyDung Tran Nachman
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Patent number: 8668572Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a player of a gaming device entitlement to a bonus amount, wherein the bonus amount may not be immediately apparent or attainable by the player. A gaming device player may acquire symbols in the context of a reel-based slot machine game. Certain symbols may entitle the player to a bonus payout, the bonus being apparent or attainable by the player at a later point in time and based on certain characteristics associated with the impending benefit. For example, gaming device players may obtain virtual representations of shares of company stock, which may only be sold (yielding a bonus to the player) under certain conditions, as dictated by the gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley
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Patent number: 8651939Abstract: A gaming system comprised of a plurality of adjacently arranged gaming machines and a mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator operable to individually indicate the gaming machines. The gaming machine indicator is mounted or positioned near the adjacently arranged gaming machines. A controller actuates the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to rotate or move. The mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator may also include lighting effects. The controller is operable to select a gaming machine and actuate the mechanical moveable gaming machine indicator to indicate the selected gaming machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: IGTInventor: Dennis Nordman
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Patent number: 8641521Abstract: Some implementations of the invention are directed to the use of legacy gaming software (or other non-native gaming software) in gaming machines that have a different architecture from that of the gaming machine for which the gaming software was written. Other implementations of the invention allow games of chance to be emulated, at least in part, on a device other than a gaming machine. The device may be, for example, a host device such as a workstation, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, etc. The device may be a wired or a wireless device and may be used in a gaming establishment or at a remote location. Some aspects of the invention provide novel methods for dispute resolution and troubleshooting via such devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Robert Silva, Edward Hennessy, Stephen Shaffer, Wai Chan
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Patent number: 8622814Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Allon G. Englman, Larry J. Pacey, Peter R. Anderson, Jeremy M. Hornik
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Patent number: 8585480Abstract: A shove board game system and playing method thereof includes: a game host to process a shove board game program and provide a picture of a chessboard and an information window and reset status of all pieces on the chessboard, a display device communicating with the game host to display the chessboard, pieces and the information window and related information, and an input device communicating with the game host to receive operations of players to proceed the shove board game. The chessboard is octagonal and has multiple longitudinal and transverse lines in directions of X and Y axes and diagonal straight lines formed at an angle of 45 degrees against the X and Y axes. The lines cross one another to form points of intersection. The pieces are positioned on the points of intersection.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventor: Chien-Yu Wang
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Patent number: 8579711Abstract: The present invention provides various modules for use with gaming machines. One such module is configured to receive data from a portable memory device and/or from a network device, e.g., from a game server. In some embodiments, the module includes, or is disposed within, a player tracking unit. Some embodiments of the module include a central processing unit (“CPU”) and a memory device such as a dual-ported random access memory (“DPRAM”). Data, such as software or content, may be downloaded to the module's CPU and written to the module's memory. According to some embodiments, data are written to a DPRAM in the module and simultaneously written from the DPRAM to the gaming machine via a high-speed digital bus. In some implementations, a memory in the module is configured to emulate a memory of the gaming machine. This allows a CPU of the gaming machine to execute software stored in the memory in the module.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: IGTInventors: Binh Nguyen, Craig Paulsen, Mike Kinsley, John Goodman
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Patent number: 8562404Abstract: A card game program is executed in a computer device for playing a game using a plurality of cards. The identification information of each card is used to generate a combination of the cards for a game player. The combination of the cards is changed in response to an instruction of the game player.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Hirokazu Uchio, Kenji Takahashi
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Patent number: 8562419Abstract: One embodiment provides a gaming system providing a multiple streak game associated with a base or primary wagering game. The multiple streak game includes a multiple streak having a multiple streak continuation condition and a single streak having a single streak continuation condition. The multiple streak is initially the active streak. If an outcome a play of the base or primary wagering game satisfies the multiple streak continuation condition, the multiple streak remains the active streak and the player may win an award. If the outcome does not satisfy the multiple streak continuation condition but satisfies the single streak continuation condition, the multiple streak ends, the at least one single streak is set as the active streak, and the player may win an award. If the outcome does not satisfy either the multiple streak continuation condition or the at least one single streak continuation condition, the multiple streak game ends.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: IGTInventor: Mark C. Nicely
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Patent number: 8512145Abstract: Disclosed is an online tournament game system including a game providing module configured to provide a game for a plurality of players that join a virtual game room during a predetermined game session, a first ranking determination module configured to compute a point value balance of each player based on result of game play committed by the players and to determine rankings of the players based upon the point value balance of each of the players during the first time period, and a player selection module configured to select and assign players for the second time period based upon the rankings of the players during the first time period. The predetermined game session includes a first time period and a second time period in a sequence. Each of the players either gains or loses a point value depending on result of their game play.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: NHN CorporationInventors: Hong Hee Kim, Sung Woo An, Eun Yong Ha
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Patent number: 8500547Abstract: An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on a gaming machine with a card reader and a player card. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage. The apparatus and method can prompt the player in regards to credits remaining on a credit meter of the gaming machine if the player card is left in the card reader when credits remain on the credit meter.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
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Patent number: 8465359Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Konami Gaming, IncorporatedInventor: Eiji Aida
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Patent number: 8449376Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Konami Gaming IncorporatedInventor: Eiji Aida