Patents Examined by Bach Hoang
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Patent number: 8597119Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Patent number: 8591330Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
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Patent number: 8550917Abstract: A system for downloading real-time interaction data and a method thereof are provided. The system includes a real-time interaction data management server farm, a network equipment, a carousel server, and at least one terminal device. The real-time interaction data management server farm processes real-time interaction data and manages a plurality of real-time data packages thereof. The network equipment provides a unidirectional broadcast network and a bidirectional mobile network as media for transmitting the real-time data packages. The carousel server receives the real-time data packages and transmits the real-time data packages in a carousel delivery method, a single-pass delivery method or a carousel and single-pass delivery method through the unidirectional broadcast network. The terminal device receives the real-time data packages through the unidirectional broadcast network or requests and receives the real-time data packages through the bidirectional mobile network.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Hsin-Ta Chiao, Tsun-Yu Hsiao
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Patent number: 8517836Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides an interactive gaming system comprising at least one tile, each tile comprising a pressure sensor, a controller being for generating a control signal associated with the pressure exerted on the tile and tile communicator for wirelessly sending the control signal to a control unit. The system further comprises a control unit comprising control unit communicator arranged for wirelessly receiving the control signal from a tile, a game controller comprising a game memory and an interpreter for interpreting the control signal in the light of a stored game and a signal generator for generating signals associated with the interpreted control signal. A tile further comprises an orientation sensor for identifying on which side of the tile the pressure is exerted. In one aspect the present invention provides a more versatile gaming system.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Lucas Jacobus Franciscus Geurts, Vincentius Paulus Buil, Rik Remco Wesselink, Bas Groenendaal
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Patent number: 8485878Abstract: Methods of implementing geocaching games are provided in which information is provided regarding a location of a waypoint. Thereafter, it is confirmed that a player of the game physically arrived at the waypoint. After such confirmation has been obtained, the player may be awarded a virtual prize. Related geocaching games and computer program products are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey Aaron, John Ruckart
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Patent number: 8454427Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, the player must wager a number of paylines to qualify for one of a plurality of bonus games. The highest required number of paylines qualifies the player to play the main or most elaborate bonus game. The main or first bonus game preferably has the highest average payout per credit wagered. This provides an incentive to the player to play the highest required number of paylines. In an embodiment, any number of paylines less than the highest required number or max lines qualifies the player to play a second bonus game. The second bonus game has an average payout per credit wagered that is slightly less than the main bonus game. This allows the incentive or disparity between payouts to be set by the game designer so that the player not wagering max lines or the highest required number is not overly disadvantaged.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: IGTInventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8384665Abstract: Techniques for selecting a portion of a 3D virtual environment are disclosed, where the portion of the 3D virtual environment may be one or more objects in the 3D virtual environment or one of scenes in the 3D virtual environment. A motion sensitive device (controller) is used. The controller generates sensor data sufficient to derive position and orientation of the controller in six degrees of freedom. In one embodiment, when selecting the portion of the 3D virtual environment, the controller generates a ray to an interaction of a display screen provided to display the 3D virtual environment, wherein the ray is further projected into the 3D virtual environment by a ray tracing technique as if the user had a real laser pointer that crosses from the physical world into the 3D virtual environment being displayed. Further a user is optionally to use a secondary input device to select one or more points or objects in a 3D space to control a distance along the ray being used.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: AiLive, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Powers, III, Charles Musick, Jr., Dana Wilkinson
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Patent number: 8366530Abstract: An electronic insertion type game system wherein an image of a game cube formed of a plurality smaller cubes, some of which are scoring cubes, arranged in a generally cubic center array having six square faces is displayed on an electronic display and players operating user input devices simulate inserting a smaller cube into the game cube, forcing another smaller cube to be ejected from the opposite side of the game cube. A score is tallied for a player when a scoring cube is ejected from the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Inventor: Ioan Boeru
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Patent number: 8357036Abstract: An attraction game commencing play for a number of successive wagers in a leased gaming machine. For leased gaming machines, the attraction game provides trial game play based on actual wagers with information on each outcome, but with all wagers returned to the player. For idle gaming machines, the attraction game is hidden from the player and the owner of the gaming machine may invest a fixed amount of money so that the player receives all money wagered plus the invested amount. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Inventor: Robert C. Dorr
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Patent number: 8337296Abstract: A tray, serving as a transaction drawer, optimally fitted to X-ray inspection equipment for ease and efficiency of the operation. Yet, easy to handle by the operator and stackable for storage and having a test wedge to verify read outs by the X-ray machine, made out of translucent, plastic material, economically produced.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: SHFL entertaiment, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, David B. Lopez
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Patent number: 8328626Abstract: A method of conducting a group wagering game that includes a special award that is attainable by players at a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes receiving wagers from players at the plurality of machines for playing individual wagering games. In response to a triggering condition that is associated with one of the machines, the group wagering game is presented including an opportunity to fulfill at least one of a plurality of victory conditions. In response to all of the plurality of victory conditions being fulfilled, the special award is awarded to the machine associated with a next triggering condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Jeremy M. Hornik
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Patent number: 8202153Abstract: In one primary embodiment of the present invention, the player must wager a number of paylines to qualify for one of a plurality of bonus games. The highest required number of paylines qualifies the player to play the main or most elaborate bonus game. The main or first bonus game preferably has the highest average payout per credit wagered. This provides an incentive to the player to play the highest required number of paylines. In an embodiment, any number of paylines less than the highest required number or max lines qualifies the player to play a second bonus game. The second bonus game has an average payout per credit wagered that is slightly less than the main bonus game. This allows the incentive or disparity between payouts to be set by the game designer so that the player not wagering max lines or the highest required number is not overly disadvantaged.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: IGTInventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 8142278Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a removable key provided so as to correspond to the gaming machine; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of (A) determining whether or not the key has been removed, and (B) controlling the gaming machine so as to make a game executable when determining in the processing (A) that the key has not been removed, while controlling the gaming machine so as to make the game unexecutable when determining in the processing (A) that the key has been removed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
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Patent number: 8029360Abstract: A gaming system (40) according to the present invention includes a number of gaming machines (10), each gaming machine including a single player game presentation arrangement that may be reconfigured to provide any one of a number of game presentations. In addition to the gaming machines (10) the present gaming system (40) includes a system configuration arrangement (51) and a game modification controller (50). The system configuration arrangement (51) produces system configuration commands based either on manual inputs, system usage information, or various information related to one or more players in a gaming facility. The game modification controller (50) included in preferred forms of the gaming system receives the system configuration commands and in response to the commands, communicates presentation switching instructions to one or more gaming machines (10) included in the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.Inventors: Clifton E. Lind, Jefferson C. Lind, Brendan M. O'Connor, Gary L. Loebig, Robert F. Lannert, Joseph R. Enzminger
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Patent number: 7988545Abstract: Further interest after completion of a game and motivation to participate in the next game are given to players of any skill. Using the results (for example, skill points, maximum combo number) of players evaluated for each predetermined parameter in for example a music game, and players again compete against each other. In other words, after the music game a separate game (secondary game) is played. Winning or losing in the secondary game depends on the results of the players for each parameter in the primary game, and the skill of the player in the secondary game. Therefore, a player's effort and skill in the primary game can be utilized in the result of the secondary game, and even if the result of the primary game is unsatisfactory, the player can seize the chance to win the secondary game, depending on the skill of the player in the secondary game.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Toyokazu Sakai, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito
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Patent number: 7980952Abstract: Acceleration data is repeatedly acquired, and an acceleration vector having a magnitude and a direction of an acceleration represented by the acceleration data is sequentially accumulated so as to calculate an accumulation vector. A following vector which follows, at a predetermined rate, the accumulation vector calculated by the accumulation vector calculation means is calculated by using the acquired acceleration data, and a difference between the accumulation vector and the following vector is calculated as a differential vector. A position in a virtual world displayed by a display device is designated using a value determined in accordance with the differential vector so as to perform a predetermined processing by using the position.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keizo Ohta