Patents Examined by Benjamin H. Layno
  • Patent number: 7938728
    Abstract: A “drop-in” style bar top gaming machine that includes a support frame having at least two opposed support walls, and a top panel assembly supporting a display device. The top panel assembly is further configured to cooperate with the support frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, enabling access to the support frame. A handle assembly is provided for each support wall, each of which includes a handle member and a mounting portion that is movably mounted to a corresponding support wall of the support frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the handle member is positioned in a manner that enables the top panel to be oriented in the closed position. In the second position, the handle member is exposed in a manner that permits gripping thereof to vertically support and lift the gaming machine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kay Vetter, Randy Hedrick, John Leagh Beadell
  • Patent number: 7934723
    Abstract: A pusher game machine 1 includes: a medal feeder 9 which feeds a medal on an upper game board 20; and an upper pushing member 22 which is arranged on the upper game board 20, and performs reciprocating movement, wherein a medal feedable region 61 by the medal feeder 9 is set on the deep side of the upper pushing member, viewing from the medal feeding side by the medal feeding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Sasaki, Atsushi Inoue, Motoki Imanishi, Etsushi Torii
  • Patent number: 7931526
    Abstract: A method of playing a Blackjack game provides a side-bet against a bust. Should a bust occur the bust card is combined with four subsequently dealt playing cards to define a five-card poker hand. This resulting poker hand is compared to a predetermined hierarchy of poker hands, and payouts are awarded for winning outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hands Down, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Ramirez
  • Patent number: 7931275
    Abstract: The present invention features a poker game kit. The present invention also features a method of playing a poker game with a dealer and one, two, or three players. The present invention also features a method of playing a poker game with a dealer and four players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Larry C. Strickland
  • Patent number: 7926813
    Abstract: A conventional deck of fifty-two playing cards is modified by the addition of at least one extra card which can be of any of the conventional card ranks, which can be of a fifth suit or a duplicate of one of the conventional cards and which is preferably an Ace. This is additional card can also be of any rank of the conventional cards, but can having a suit designation of all of the suits, and is preferably an Ace of all of the suits. This modified deck of playing cards is used to play video poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ernest Moody Revocable Trust
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Patent number: 7926810
    Abstract: A roulette apparatus enables and enhances roulette gaming. The roulette apparatus comprises a roulette wheel assembly, a ball-delivery tower, ball-conducting conduit, and disguised wheel monitoring equipment. The ball-delivery tower comprises a tower support portion and a tower arm. The tower arm may enclose and partially disguise the wheel-monitoring equipment. The tower support portion provides a certain vertical dimension for maximizing roulette ball potential energy. The ball-conducting conduit extends intermediate a ball inlet and a ball outlet. The ball outlet is positioned for outletting the roulette ball upon an upper wheel surface of the roulette wheel assembly. The tower and the ball-conducting conduit convert roulette ball potential energy to roulette ball kinetic energy and further function to effect a self-launching roulette ball for enhancing the roulette gaming experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Cantor G & W (Nevada)
    Inventors: Donald Fisher, Melissa S. Langtim, Douglas Krich, Darlene Marie Garmann, Stephen Foote
  • Patent number: 7922589
    Abstract: Electronic game tables with multifunction legs are described. In one implementation, an electronic multiplayer game table includes a tabletop with player stations for an electronic betting game. Multifunction legs physically support the periphery of the tabletop, while electronic components for playing the betting game are mounted in the multifunction legs. For example, a multifunction leg may contain multiple currency detectors and coinless slot machine-style ticket printers/readers, so that each player at the game table has an exclusive currency detector and an exclusive ticket printer in close proximity. The multifunction legs may also include magnetic or smart card readers for transferring player, banking, and monetary information. In a variation, central control components of the electronic game table are also mounted in the legs. The multifunction legs can eliminate the need for a central support pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: DigiDeal Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler V. Kuhn, David A. Krise, Eric D. Miesch
  • Patent number: 7922178
    Abstract: A game ticket is disclosed. The game ticket includes a first and second indicia concealed by a removable opaque covering and indicating visually whether the game ticket is a winning ticket. The first indicia is located with a game play area. The second indicia includes a first player key located within the game player area and a second player key located in a customer key area, wherein whether the game ticket is a winning ticket is determinable upon a comparison of the first and second player keys. A method and apparatus for using the game ticket is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Gtech Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Finocchio
  • Patent number: 7918454
    Abstract: An entertaining and romantic game comprises actions and adventures of different categories that are placed in a bottle and spun. Some actions or adventures are pre-printed whereas others are created by the players, thereby personalizing the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Jimmyjane, Inc.
    Inventor: Ethan Frederic Imboden
  • Patent number: 7918724
    Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and computer readable media are described, comprising determining an intermediate player hand in a card game; offering to the player an option to receive a conditional hit card in exchange for resolving the hand according to a second pay table; if the player accepts the offer, dealing a conditional hit card face down to the player; determining a final dealer hand; and if the final dealer hand beats the intermediate player hand, turning the conditional hit card face up and adding the card to the intermediate player hand, thereby determining a final player hand; awarding a payout to the player according to the reduced pay table if the final player hand beats the final dealer hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Gregory J. Scribner, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Renny S. Talianchich
  • Patent number: 7914003
    Abstract: Gaming devices and methods of playing games wherein an indication of the cards which have already been discarded or dealt is displayed for a player to view prior to making a decision. One embodiment is directed to a gaming device comprising a video display which is designed for the play of Blackjack. Other embodiments are directed to table versions of the present invention wherein physical playing cards are actually dealt to one or more players. At the conclusion of each hand, an indication of the cards dealt is displayed for viewing by all of the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Randy Miller
  • Patent number: 7909327
    Abstract: A system and method for playing a poker game. The system is implemented either through a software application or through a physical game environment. The system integrates a card elimination table which has a range of attack elements and range of removable elements. The attack elements are correlated to the removable elements so that when an attack card element is played, the removable elements correlated to that particular attack card element are eliminated from the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Elliott
  • Patent number: 7909326
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described for producing lottery products and conducting lottery games. In one embodiment, a method for producing a lottery product comprises producing a lottery sub-product that includes a concealed indication of a redemption value of a different lottery sub-product. In one embodiment, a storybook allows a player to win by matching words from a paytable to revealable dialog or other story elements on a respective page of the storybook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Michael W. Patterson, James A. Jorasch
  • Patent number: 7901284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on the display means 41 and, if a winning combination results, the console 40 pays a prize. The console 40 is characterized in that the displayed images include a first image component 31 which displays basic game features and a second image component 50 which displays image features which appear superimposed on the first image component 31. The second image component 50 is transparent, whereby the first image component 31 is visible through the second image component 50 under the control of the control means 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David Temperley
  • Patent number: 7900924
    Abstract: A shuffling machine has a shuffler, a card input, a card output, an input detaching assembly and an output detaching assembly. The input detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card input to connect the card input detachably to the shuffler. The output detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card output to connect the card output detachably to the shuffler. Therefore, the shuffler, the card input and the card output may be manufactured and sold separately to simplify manufacturing processes and reduce buying cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Fulgent Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cai-Shiang Ho
  • Patent number: 7896746
    Abstract: A gaming device support stand is height adjustable, permitting the position of a gaming device positioned thereon to be adjusted. In one embodiment, the support stand comprises a support platform for supporting a gaming device, the support platform movable relative to a base member. A lifting mechanism is used to move the support platform. The lifting mechanism may comprise one or more guide members and one or more force generating mechanisms. A controller may receive player input regarding a desired position of the gaming device. The controller may activate the lift mechanism, thus effectuating movement of the support stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Milo Borissov
  • Patent number: 7896346
    Abstract: A combination euchre score and trump indicating device. The system includes a pair of scoring dials that are mounted to the interior face of a pair of end caps. The end caps removably mate with a body. The body is generally cube-shaped having four flat outer surfaces. Each outer surface prominently bears one of the four trump suits. When the end caps are coupled to the body, the interior faces and scoring dials are hidden by the body, protecting the scoring dials from damage and fully enclosing an internal storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick G. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7896345
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided comprising a cabinet defining a playing area including a plurality of shelves mounted therein where each of the shelves has disposed thereon a plurality of game pieces. A receiving mechanism is attached to the cabinet for accepting a playing piece. A playing area with one or more holes that allow game pieces to fall through the playing area into a mechanism that collects the game pieces until the weight of the pieces is greater than the counter weight and allowing the rocker arm to rotate and dispense the game pieces into the receiving mechanism or reward the player a prize by another method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Clay Thomas Cacas
  • Patent number: 7891665
    Abstract: A score-keeping product for an anagram game that has a pouch for storing a plurality of anagram game cubes therein; a pair of slide members that each can be linearly moved between open and closed positions with each slide member, in an at least partially open position, enabling access to the interior of pouch so that the anagram game cubes can be stored or removed therefrom for the purpose of playing the game cubes with each of the slide members including a scoring pointer; and a pair of scoring indicia on the pouch and each disposed along a linear locus that extends respectively along side of a corresponding slide member with each scoring indicia provided with a series of score markers. The slide members are selectively movable so that the corresponding scoring pointer can be progressively moved to align with one of the series of score markers in scoring the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bananagrams Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham Nathanson
  • Patent number: 7871077
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to poker dice and methods of gameplay using poker dice that (i) allows game participants to roll all of the common poker hands (high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush), in an efficient manner, (ii) enhances the gameplay of the poker-related dice game by using six-sided dice, and (iii) enhances the gameplay of the poker-related dice game by allowing wildcards to be incorporated into the poker dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Carmelyn Calvert