Patents Examined by Damon Pierce
  • Patent number: 9058723
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a controlled entity hybrid game. A controlled entity hybrid game includes a real world engine constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits from at least one wager in a gambling game, an entertainment software engine constructed to execute an entertainment game providing outcomes based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game; and a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment software engine and communicate, to the gambling game, a gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon a player's instruction of a controlled entity to consume an element of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game, and change the element on the basis of the randomly generated payout and an entertainment game variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Gamblit Gaming, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross
  • Patent number: 9050533
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquiries whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9050536
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9039510
    Abstract: In a game system or a drawing machine for a jackpot game, a drawing unit of the drawing machine for a jackpot game performs jackpot drawing in a manner that a player who plays a particular game apparatus among a plurality of game apparatuses is not determined as a winning player of a jackpot award, when a sum of an apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount indicated by game apparatus's own apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount data stored in an apparatus-specific jackpot balance amount storage unit and an apparatus-specific maximum loss amount indicated by a game apparatus's own apparatus-specific maximum loss amount data stored in the apparatus-specific maximum loss amount storage unit, is equal to or more than a payout amount indicated by payout amount data stored in a payout amount storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Uchiyama, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Nobuhiro Goto
  • Patent number: 9033787
    Abstract: A method and gaming machine for playing a game with area and numerical winning thresholds. The method and machine present a plurality of distinct elements which are grouped into a plurality of subsets whereby a player can select both a sub-plurality of elements and at least one subset. A set of random elements is selected from the set of elements which also determines at least one random subset. The set of random elements is compared to the sub-plurality of player selected elements and the player selected subset to the random subset. A player is rewarded if the set of random elements and the set of player selected elements have a pre-determined minimum number of common elements and/or if the plurality of player selected subsets and the plurality of random subsets have a second, pre-determined minimum number of common subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Incredible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Hodgson, Leonid Smikun
  • Patent number: 9033788
    Abstract: A system and method manages an electronic gaming environment. The gaming environment includes at least one gaming device. The system includes a database and a computer coupled to the database. The database stores system and user account data for at least one user and establishes a default language for the system. The computer is networked to the device. A user interface, associated with either the computer or the gaming device identifies a user, interacts with the user, and provides access to the system as a function of the identity of the user. The user interface is displayed in (a) in a preferred language of the identified user or (b) in the default language of the system if no preferred language is specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey George, Martin Dempsey, Edward Sepich, IV, Thomas E. Soukup
  • Patent number: 9028319
    Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provide an opportunity for a player to place a replay wager for a group or set of a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one embodiment, the replay wager activates a replay feature which the player can use a designated number of times (such as one time) over the plurality of plays of the wagering game. The player's use of the replay feature causes the gaming system to redisplay the previous play of the wagering game, and provide any awards associated with the previous play of the wagering game. After the player uses the replay feature over each of the designated number (such as one) of the plurality of plays of the wagering game, the player cannot use the replay feature for any of the remaining plays of the plurality of plays of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel J. De Waal, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 9017158
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine (or other game) with a skill element. After reels on the slot machine are spun (or cards are dealt; wheel is stopped, etc.) a potential award is computed (e.g., a main game outcome is determined and a potential prize is displayed that can be won) based on the symbol combinations present on active paylines (or cards dealt, etc.) Then a skill element is presented to the player wherein the player uses hand-eye coordination, timing and dexterity to employ mechanical skill to stop a moving icon in order to maximize the player's award. Once the icon is stopped, a percentage is determined based on a location of the stopped icon, and this percentage is applied to the potential award to determine the actual award. The actual award is then awarded to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Fernando Di Carlo
  • Patent number: 9011240
    Abstract: A mobile gaming device may be a player's own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi. The mobile device operates as a user interface. If the communications link is temporarily broken during a game, the mobile device will create the appearance that the game is continuous, such as by continuing to spin reels, until communications are reestablished. The reels will stop once the mobile device receives the final outcome from the gaming terminal. The player may pause the game to temporarily suspend the minimum game frequency rules. The mobile device may switch between gaming terminals. For 3D video, the original format is adjusted for the mobile device. The gaming terminal may be a gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Spielo International Canada ULC
    Inventors: David Vincent Froy, Jr., Peter Babin, Bharat Gadher, Fayez Idris
  • Patent number: 8998702
    Abstract: During a play of a game, the disclosed gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred. For example, the gaming system determines that an ending condition has occurred when no winning symbol combinations are displayed for the play of the game. Following determination that the ending condition has occurred, the gaming system determines whether to provide access to an additional win opportunity for the play of the game. If the additional win opportunity is to be provided, the gaming system removes one or more symbols from a plurality of symbol positions even though such symbols do not form a winning symbol combination. The gaming system fills any resulting empty symbol positions by shifting symbols and/or displaying generated symbols, and provides awards for any then-generated winning symbol combinations. The additional win opportunity may be accessed because of a player wager or because other additional win opportunity criteria are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Gregory F. Frank, Rogelio S. DeCasa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8998693
    Abstract: In electronic video poker games, the contents of the deck after the deal of an initial set of cards may be modified to increase or decrease the likelihood of awards when compared to an unmodified deck. Cards may be added, removed, or reordered to alter winning probabilities after an initial set of cards are dealt. In a video poker game embodiment dealt from a standard 52-card deck, when the player holds cards of a single rank (a pair, three-of-a-kind, or four-of-a-kind), the game dynamically adds one or more cards of the held rank to the deck to enable the player to potentially achieve five-of-a-kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Olympian Gaming LLC
    Inventor: Stacy Friedman
  • Patent number: 8998724
    Abstract: A game system which enables a host player to progress a game in collaboration with guest players is provided. The host player progresses the game by moving a party, including a plurality of player characters, on a field. When the party arrives at a predetermined point on a predetermined field, a battle with an enemy character is started. When a player character of the party becomes inoperative in the battle, a player character of a guest player may be substituted for the inoperative player character by sending a support request to the guest player. Although there is a time limit that the player character of the guest player may participate in the battle, the time limit may be extended when the corresponding player character achieves a predetermined condition in the battle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Hajime Tabata
  • Patent number: 8992309
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for rewarding players of games of chance, including, for example, a lottery-type game or a casino game. Individuals are provided the opportunity to earn extra rewards by forming teams or special groups of individuals; the team or special group must perform a particular task to obtain the extra reward. Such methods may help to maintain or increase the interest of a frequent lottery or game player, may provide a new or different incentive to attract new players, and may offer a means for a game operator to differentiate its player's club or rewards program from those of other operators. These organizations may include bingo hall operators (such as churches, senior centers, and charitable organizations), lottery agencies (such as those of United States of America state governments, or multi-state agencies), and on-line and/or land-based casinos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Paul LaRocca, Steven N. Kane, Dow Hardy, Mark E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8986112
    Abstract: An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8979638
    Abstract: The present application provides a system which transmits a request signal to a plurality of chips located within a communication range of an antenna, receives from a chip which has received the request signal an answer back including identification information and a plurality of error detection codes of the chip, generates a plurality of error detection codes from the identification information of the chip, detects match or mismatch of a plurality of error detection codes received and a plurality of error detection codes generated, and when, among a plurality of pairs of the error detection codes, match of a pair of error detection codes is detected and mismatch of another pair of error detection codes is detected, determines that the match of the pair of the error detection codes of the chip is misrecognition resulting from collision of a response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Emori, Shinsuke Yamaguchi, Toru Sugawara, Kouichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8979630
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring consecutive games of roulette played at a live roulette gaming table. The table includes a table layout, a roulette wheel and a chipper machine for sorting and counting betting chips. During each game, players bet on a spin of the roulette wheel by indicating bets on the table layout with the chips. Chip count data from the chipper machine along with game activity data from one or more gaming table monitoring systems is recorded and processed by a table computer to identify at least one game delineation event and associated timing information. The chip count data is analyzed based on the timing information for game delineation event: and then portions of the chip count data are assigned to respective roulette games. The recorded data may be later analyzed to determine a range of performance characteristics including optimization characteristics, and/or immediately communicated to the table operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TCS John Huxley Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Simon McLaren Witty, Harley David Jackson
  • Patent number: 8974277
    Abstract: Embodiments for a system and method for establishing a plurality of MMA fantasy leagues to a plurality of participants utilizing an automated web-based platform are disclosed. In each embodiment, participants register into the web-based platform in order to create or join a fantasy league organized to play an MMA fantasy fighter game in accordance with game rules, including scoring metrics based on the outcomes of real-world MMA fight events; holding period, transactional (add/drop), or fight quantity restrictions; a predefined course of time; and a predefined method of victory. Participants can draft fighters from real-world MMA fighters to create fantasy teams. Depending on embodiment, league winners may be determined by total points scored throughout the season or just during a final playoff period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Qais Jamal Sediq
  • Patent number: 8970526
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game device that has a touch panel, a processor, and a RAM. The processor, from among detected position data output from touch panel, stores in RAM, as the position of the start point, the position indicated by detected position data output by the start of a continuous touch operation. Also, given that the position indicated by detected position data output immediately before the end of the continuous touch operation is determined as the position of the end point, processor identifies, from among plural input instructions each being associated with plural direction ranges extending radially from a common basal point on the contact face of touch panel, an input instruction that is associated with a direction range having a direction from the start point to the end point therewithin, from among plural direction ranges having the start point as a basal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Yoro
  • Patent number: 8961300
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions. The system may leverage the foregoing features to provide wager-enabled promotions. For example, a promotion such as an advertisement may be wager-enabled such that selecting the advertisement provides an opportunity to place a wager. An outcome of the wager may be predefined and based on an outcome of a real-world wager that was already determined. Thus, the user may be given the impression that the outcome of the real-world wager resulted from interaction with the promotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Game Play Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell M. Fine
  • Patent number: 8961322
    Abstract: Systems and methods for replaying a prior game play cycle of a game on a gaming terminal, wherein the game has been deactivated from the gaming terminal, are disclosed. The method includes deactivating the game from the gaming terminal, wherein the game includes a game logic component and an accumulative data component, the accumulative data component including minimal state information required to recreate a prior game play cycle of the game on the gaming terminal. Deactivating the game includes removing the game logic component from the gaming terminal and preserving the accumulative data component of the game. The method further includes receiving an indication that the prior game play cycle is to be recreated, downloading the game logic component to the gaming terminal, and recreating the prior game play cycle on the gaming terminal with the game logic component and the accumulative data component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Dwayne R. Nelson, Steven G. LeMay, Robert E. Breckner, Warner R. Cockerille, Jamal Benbrahim, Bryan D. Wolf