Patents Examined by Binh-An D. Nguyen
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Patent number: 7351146Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for operating a gaming device that enables or activates one or more paylines upon the receipt or wager of a single credit from the player. The gaming device of the present invention maintains and displays a plurality of paylines and an input device that enables a player to bet one or more credits. When the player wagers a credit, the processor of the gaming device activates a number of the paylines, the number pre-selected or player selected to be one or more and preferably each of the paylines maintained by the gaming device.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: IGTInventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
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Patent number: 7347778Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reporting alterations to the operation of a gaming machine. The method includes operating the gaming machine in a standard mode of operation, and subsequently altering the standard mode of operation. In response to this altering, a report is automatically generated for submission to a gaming regulatory agency. The report indicates that the standard mode of operation has been altered. In one common form, the mode of operation being altered is the payout structure, which is information that must be submitted to the gaming regulatory agency in most jurisdictions. In other alternatives, the novel method includes transmitting the report to the agency, possibly automatically via an electronic transmission. The present invention also contemplates gaming machines that are configured to generate such a report, and gaming machine networks that are configured to generate such a report.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventor: Wayne H. Rothschild
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Patent number: 7338360Abstract: A game, and more particularly to an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to “buy” or “sell”. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value or price of one or more securities, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: IGTInventors: Eugene Jarvis, Andrew Eloff
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Patent number: 7335105Abstract: A soccer game apparatus includes a game processor, and the game processor allows at least a character of a soccer ball to be displayed on a television monitor screen. An signal outputting device is attached to a player's leg, and when the player moves the leg, an acceleration correlation signal correlated with an acceleration as of that time is output from the signal outputting device. Upon receipt of the acceleration correlation signal by an infrared signal, for example, the game processor causes a change to the character of the soccer ball displayed on the screen.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: SSD Company LimitedInventor: Hiromu Ueshima
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Patent number: 7331870Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus in which a biometric information relating to a player is used to facilitate game play in multiplayer game environments. In particular, the present invention provides a game platform, a biofeedback sensor, and a biofeedback signal interface connection between the game platform and the biofeedback sensor. The biofeedback signal interface converts the biofeedback sensor information into a signal input usable by the game platform, which executes multimedia events as determined, in part, by the biometric information.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Healing Rhythms, LLCInventors: Kurt Smith, Crowin Bell
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Patent number: 7316616Abstract: A gaming system may include a first gaming unit, a second gaming unit, and a monitoring apparatus operatively coupled to the first and second gaming unit. The monitoring apparatus may include a display terminal and a monitoring apparatus controller operatively coupled to the display terminal. The monitoring apparatus controller may comprise a processor and a memory having encrypted license data representing a license parameter and a corresponding license parameter value stored therein, and may be programed to determine if the encrypted license data is authentic and may be programmed to determine if a configuration of the gaming system is in compliance with the license parameter value of the license parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: IGTInventor: Mike Oberberger
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Patent number: 7252588Abstract: A large “hit range in offense” is applied to a player character 41 on an offense side, and a small “hit range in defense” is applied to player characters 42 and 43 on a defense side. When a ball is free, a “normal hit range” is applied to each player character. As mentioned above, the three hit ranges having different sizes are provided and the applied hit ranges are switched depending on situations. Thus, as compared with a case in which the size of the hit range is constant, pass of the ball is easily successful. Therefore, a beginner, who is strange to a video game machine, can easily pass the ball when the player character in an opponent team steals the ball, and organized offense can be easily performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.Inventors: Junichi Takemoto, Norio Egashira
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Patent number: 7247025Abstract: A method for testing a working memory and fluid reasoning of a subject includes the step of sequentially presenting to a subject a first plurality of images, wherein each image is positioned in a different sector of a display device. The first plurality of images totals one fewer than a total number of sectors. Next the subject is simultaneously presented with a second plurality of images. One of the second plurality of images bears an analogous relationship to the first plurality of images. The subject is then asked to select an analogous image from the second plurality of images.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Harcourt Assessment, Inc.Inventors: Laura Leyva, David Tulsky
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Patent number: 7217192Abstract: A game apparatus that has a game machine for advancing a game according to a program and a mobile unit moving based on information data from the game machine. Further, a game system for a game player to play a game using a controller and a toy, comprising a storage step for the for the game player to manipulate the controller for moving the toy for bringing up a toy motion and store the brought-up toy motion and a reproduction step for the game player to manipulate the controller for reproducing the stored toy motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: SNK Playmore CorporationInventor: Takashi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7211000Abstract: Gaming utilizing actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, a system including a source of actual telemetry data regarding an event, such as a sporting event, and a gaming application utilizing the actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, by utilizing actual telemetry data, the ability to play a game as if the game player were involved in a current sporting event, in real-time, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Curtis E. Jutzi, Jay Connelly
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Patent number: 7179171Abstract: A cellular telephone breeding toy includes a memory storing genetic traits of corresponding breedable virtual fish. The memory also stores sets of image templates, there being at least one genetic trait associated with each image template. A keypad is used to select one or more of the virtual fish, and to render the virtual fish according to the genetic traits and the sets of image templates. Lineage of the virtual fish can also be displayed, and the virtual fish can be traded between cellular telephones using communications protocols. Genetic traits of two virtual fish can be combined randomly to generate off-springs.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Clifton L. Forlines, Joseph W. Marks
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Patent number: 7172506Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits of an award and enables the player to pick which position or digit receives a first randomly generated number, which digit receives a second randomly generated number, etc., until each of the positions have a number, whereby the gaming device determines the player's ultimate award. The present invention further provides a plurality of modification methods for modifying the digits of the award.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Cari L. Blomquist, Darren Maya, Robert N. Silva, William J. Bussick
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Patent number: 7169042Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels or cards having several symbols. The symbols include at least one extender symbol. In one embodiment, when the extender symbol is randomly generated on the reels, one of the symbols randomly generated on the reels changes into another of the symbols randomly generated on the reels.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: IGTInventors: David H. Muir, Gregg J. Palmer, Joseph E. Kaminkow
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Patent number: 7153211Abstract: A method and system for a plurality of reporters to collectively self-organize, for the purpose of identifying, measuring and recording team-member activity that is causal to team achievement. The method includes steps of role selection, information discovery, information reporting and information aggregation of team-member activity that is causal to team achievement. It includes means for creating a common perspective among reporters, a common means to judge the value of team-members' contributions, means for collective self-organizing and self-training by reporters, and means for valuing reporters' contributions to the reporting process. One preferred embodiment is a game that enables a large group of humans to determine the critical few actions and collaborations that lead to winning a basketball game viewed live, via TV or internet broadcast. Another preferred embodiment is a game for maximizing the selling activity of a commercial sales group.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Bect Power, Inc.Inventor: Philip James Campaigne
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Patent number: 7137888Abstract: A gaming device having wild indicator symbols associated with symbols displayed within a display device on a set of reels. The wild indicator symbols may also be associated with a card or plurality of cards within a display device. A processor determines whether the wild indicators will be associated with the symbols or cards and also determines if the wild indicators will be activated. If the wild indicators are activated, the processor transforms those symbols or cards associated with the wild indicators into wild symbols or wild cards.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: IGTInventors: Paulina Glavich, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
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Patent number: 7104900Abstract: A golf mat similar to the type used at a driving range, including a hole for inserting a golf tee, with the addition of a pressure sensor (transducer) embedded in one corner of the mat, sandwiched between a top artificial grass and a bottom rubber backing of the mat, for use in activating an alarm when the golf club head strikes the area just behind the ball, above the pressure sensor, before striking the ball. When the golf club strikes the area above the sensor, an electrical signal is sent to the input of a timer circuit, which then provides a signal of a few seconds in time to the input of a visible alarm. Lines are included on the top surface of the mat to mark off the boundaries directly above the pressure sensor so a golfer will not step in this area and set off a false alarm. In use, when the golfer makes a good swing with the club head striking the ball solidly, without hitting the ground first, then the alarm will not flash a light.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Inventor: Marc Finley
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Patent number: 7101283Abstract: A game machine is disclosed in which a visual point position is automatically changed after an elapse of a fixed time if an object exists between a player character and a visual point position as the player character is seen from the visual point position in a three-dimensional virtual space.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Namco Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Okamoto, Jun Toyoda, Hiroshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 7094150Abstract: An improved roulette game utilizing he existing roulette wheel and/or electronic LED wheel with an existing layout to enhance the game or roulette. Players make wagers on the conventional layout and using the plurality of token or chip acceptors as an extra wager to win either a major progressive jackpot or minor progressive jackpot.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Inventors: Mark Curran Ungaro, Carlo Palombo
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Patent number: 7063618Abstract: A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Russell Pratt Sammon, Magdalena Mik, Nandu A. Talwalkar
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Patent number: 7040982Abstract: This invention relates generally to a game, and more particularly to an electronic game that simulates trading securities on an exchange. The game of the present invention is preferably played as a video gaming machine for gambling purposes. A computing device is provided having, among other things, a video screen display on which a line chart is displayed. The computing device also includes a selection device, which provides a means by which the player interacts with the computing device to “buy” or “sell”. The line chart includes a vertical axis that corresponds to the value or price of one or more securities, and a horizontal axis that corresponds to time. A segmented line is plotted on the line chart during a round of play. A random number generator randomly determines the vertical axis value for each point plotted along the segmented line.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: IGTInventors: Eugene Jarvis, Andrew Eloff