Patents Examined by Corbett Coburn
  • Patent number: 7056210
    Abstract: A gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark W. Bansemer, James G. Nolz
  • Patent number: 7056211
    Abstract: A gaming machine device is provided for the resolution of the modality of prior draw for installation in an anthropometrical position that facilitates display to allow a player's interaction in a game. The device includes: a central processing unit connected to a monitor, a first interface connected to a reduced alphanumeric keyboard with betting slots, a second interface connected to a printer, and a random draw device. A receptacle attached to the printer output includes: an upper side made of transparent material, an input slot facing the printer output that receives a draw element, occlusion means under the transparent material for hiding the results of an executed draw printed on a side of the draw element visible to the player, and an output slot through which the draw element is handed over to the player. A method for resolution of the modality of prior draw is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: Armando Hector Taltavull, Carlos Isidoro Ferrari
  • Patent number: 7052392
    Abstract: A video game allows a player to improve odds of success in a bonus game by winning an advantage outcome in association with play of a primary or base game. An exemplary bonus game is the game of Pong where the player can use advantage credits won in play of the primary or base game to provide himself with an advantage such as lengthening his paddle, shortening his opponent's paddle, or slowing the shrinkage rate of his paddle during the course of the bonus game. Alternatively, he may also purchase one or more advantages for use in the bonus game through monetary payment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael T. Tessmer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7050868
    Abstract: Players in a gaming environment, particularly, electronic on-line gaming environments, may be scored relative to each other or to a predetermined scoring system. The scoring of each player may be based on the outcomes of games between players who compete against each other in one or more teams of one or more players. Each player's score may be represented as a distribution over potential scores which may indicate a confidence level in the distribution representing the player's score. The score distribution for each player may be modeled with a Gaussian distribution and may be determined through a Bayesian inference algorithm. The scoring may be used to track a player's progress and/or standing within the gaming environment, used in a leaderboard indication of rank, and/or may be used to match players with each other in a future game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thore K H Graepel, Ralf Herbrich
  • Patent number: 7044855
    Abstract: A method of expressing, in an easily visible manner, a game proceeded in a plurality of game fields formed hierarchically, in which at least first and second game fields are hierarchically formed in a three-dimensional virtual space. With this method, games proceeding simultaneously and in parallel in upper and lower spaces are displayed in the respective fields as seen from a viewpoint in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Masahiro Hinami, Toshiyasu Kamiko, Takaharu Terada, Yasushi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7029395
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device, wherein the game requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time. The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot, i.e., the jackpot builds until a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the player's bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the player's betting habits or betting ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7025675
    Abstract: A server-based video game system maintains a number of video game characters having computer-simulated genetic (“digenetic”) structures that prescribe a number of physical and cognitive performance traits and characteristics for the video game characters. The system allows end users to establish remote online access to the game characters (via, e.g., the Internet). The results of competitions and training activities are based upon the game characters' digenetics, the conditions of the game environment, and the game characters' current levels of physical and cognitive development. The game characters' performance capabilities and cognition are updated continuously in response to the results of competitions and training activities. Competition and training results can be processed by the game servers and transmitted to the end user presentation devices for graphics rendering. In this manner, the video game system need not be burdened by network latency and other delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Digenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Fogel, Timothy J. Hays, Douglas R. Johnson, Thomas P. Lang, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6994626
    Abstract: In a video gaming environment, a player is enabled to interact with the environment. Further, a score and/or performance of the player in a particular session is machine detected and fed fed back into the gaming environment and a representation of said score and/or performance is displayed in visual form through an item that identifies the player in question. In particular, the method automatically takes up a video image of the player in question as said representation for subsequent video display in said gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes F. M. D'Achard Van Enschut
  • Patent number: 6991544
    Abstract: A primary wager is placed by a primary player regarding an outcome of a gaming event, and a secondary wager is placed by a secondary player regarding an outcome of the primary wager. Tertiary wagers may also be placed regarding an outcome of the secondary wager. The outcome of the gaming event is determined. The outcome of the primary wager is determined based on the determined outcome of the gaming event. The outcome of the secondary wager is determined based on the determined outcome of the primary wager. The outcome of the tertiary wager is determined based on the outcome of the secondary wager. Winnings and losses are paid and collected, respectively. Wagering can be local or remote. Statistics and/or odds can be generated and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Soltys, Richard Huizinga
  • Patent number: 6976918
    Abstract: A video game device is provided with a recording medium 122 storing a first image data group including a plurality of frames of image data for displaying a running action and a second image data group including a plurality of frames of image data for displaying a goal finishing action which successively follows the running action; a character display control unit 201e for reading the first and second image data group from the recording medium 122 and displaying motions of a play character based on the read image data, and a switch control unit 201h for switching the first image data group to the second image data group such that the running action and the goal finishing action are successively displayed without any discontinuity when the play character reaches a predetermined position by repeatedly displaying the running action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 6966834
    Abstract: Periodic prize draws are conducted by a jackpot controller (13) in a gaming system having one or more electronic gaming devices (10), where the probability of each electronic gaming device winning a particular prize draw is dependent upon the amount wagered on that gaming machine during a determined period of time preceding that prize draw. The prize can be a progressive jackpot with an initial value that is increased by contributions from the amounts wagered on the electronic gaming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Neurizon PTY LTD
    Inventor: Steven Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 6966836
    Abstract: A method and system of providing players with positive return in a gambling game. Tokens are won or lost in a manner that assures net positive return. Token value is determined based on the total number of outstanding tokens, or on the total number that have been issued in a predetermined time period, so that the total prize payout is predetermined and constant. In one embodiment, tokens act as lottery tickets, and prizes are awarded to winners of the lottery, so that a player's chance of winning the lottery is based on the percentage of outstanding tokens he or she possesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: EA.COM, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Rush, Jason M. Kapalka, Sukhbir S. Sidhu
  • Patent number: 6964607
    Abstract: There is provided a game system which can change the configuration of an image based on the detected illuminating position of a light illuminating device to improve the effect of a game. The game system includes a light detection section which detects a position of a spotlight on a screen formed by an infrared light emitting section, an area setting section which sets a given specified area based on the position of the spotlight detected by the position detection section, and an image effect section which displays an image so that the specified area is displayed in a manner different from that of an area other than the specified area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6964416
    Abstract: The method includes a bonus game associated with a base game that allows players to use skill and memory to determine the outcome of the bonus game. Players are prompted at the beginning of the bonus game to select at least a first and then a second game space from an array of game spaces, revealing previously hidden indicia. The player continues the selections for a predetermined period of time or until some event occurs, terminating the selections. Bonus payouts are awarded in the event the revealed indicia match. Alternative embodiments include allowing players to qualify for a “sneak peek”, wherein all or some hidden indicia on the game space array are revealed for a short period of time, and random shuffling of the indicia to different game spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Monica A. McClintic, Michael T. Tessmer, Julie A. Mottes, William E. Vorias
  • Patent number: 6960132
    Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 6942574
    Abstract: A gaming machine with devices able to output entertainment content (e.g. movies, TV programming, audio programs and advertising) from entertainment content sources located within the gaming machine or outside of the gaming machine is described. A player utilizing the gaming machine may access, independently of game play, entertainment content on the gaming machine where access to the entertainment content is granted according to a predetermined fee. In addition, the player utilizing the gaming machine may receive personal messages on the gaming machine. For example, while utilizing the gaming machine, a player may receive, e-mail, stock quotes, news and advertising that is of particular interest to the player utilizing the gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven G. LeMay, James W. Stockdale, Dwayne R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6942568
    Abstract: A gaming device is provided that requires the player to successfully perform a skill event and randomly receive a winning outcome to ultimately receive an award. The gaming device is suitable for gaming jurisdiction requiring skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6939232
    Abstract: In the disclosed invention, correlation information expressing the correlation between a plurality of operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough is generated, and such correlation information is output to the operation terminal devices. Such present invention allows the operators of the operation terminal devices to readily recognize the correlation between the operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough among information handled on an information processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Tanaka, Toru Akazawa, Rajesh Kumar Dixit
  • Patent number: 6939223
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for quickly and easily providing desired paytable information to a player of a gaming device. The invention utilizes the game's display device containing a plurality of game generated symbols as an index of symbols from which a player can choose a desired symbol. The present invention enables a player to touch or otherwise select the desired symbol and produce desired paytable information, which includes a plurality of different types of information. The invention contemplates the game maintaining one or more databases for every single symbol. Alternatively, the game can maintain one or more databases having information on all the symbols of the gaming device and immediately scroll to the desired symbol upon the player's selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Aaron T. Jones
  • Patent number: 6935956
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a pressure-sensitive device for providing an analog signal responsive to an applied pressure, a level segmenting unit for segmenting the analog signal into output levels and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converting unit for converting the segmented analog signal into a digital signal having a plurality of bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ogata, Kazusato Tagawa, Hiroyuki Nakazawa, Youtaro Sakakura, Koji Mita