Patents Examined by John M Hotaling, II
  • Patent number: 7942741
    Abstract: A server provides activities and/or services to a player through a device. In response to a request from the device, information known to a player is determined and sent to the device via the server. In this fashion, verification can be made that the device is communicating with the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventor: Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 7934994
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of game outcome presentations derived from one or more virtual 3-D gaming environments stored on the gaming machine. While a game of chance is being played on the gaming machine, two-dimensional images derived from a three-dimensional object in the 3-D gaming environment may be rendered to a display screen on the gaming machine in real-time as part of the game outcome presentation. To add excitement to the game, a 3-D position of the 3-D object and other features of the 3-D gaming environment may be controlled by a game player. Nearly an unlimited variety of virtual objects, such as slot reels, gaming machines and casinos, may be modeled in the 3-D gaming environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven G. LeMay, Jamal Benbrahim, Richard E. Rowe, Robert E. Breckner, Nicole M. Beaulieu, Greg A. Schlottmann
  • Patent number: 7909693
    Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith Donald Kammler, J. Christopher McNamee, Alan Gael Sheldon, Robert L. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7909697
    Abstract: A game apparatus has a plurality of actuation devices in which at least two of the actuation devices require different mechanical actions for actuation. The apparatus further includes a speaker, a display screen, and a processor coupled to each of the actuation devices and to the display screen and the speaker. The processor outputs a first command signal to the speaker relating to a first actuation device, then outputs a second command signal to the speaker when the first actuation device is actuated, with the second command signal relating to a second actuation device. The processor outputs image signals to the display screen that are representative of the mechanical actions being taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Patent Catefory Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 7901291
    Abstract: A wagering gaming device which includes at least one converter program. The gaming device processor, which operates on a particular platform, can use the converter program to read and use programs otherwise incompatible with such platform, such as platform independent programs. This type of gaming device enables developers to develop code on platforms which are different in type from the gaming device platform, and the gaming device processor can read and use this code to operate the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: William L. Hecht, Aaron T. Jones
  • Patent number: 7896193
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus can be placed between the money acceptor and the operative components of a gaming or vending machine to award a bonus based on predetermined utilization rates of the machine. The apparatus may incorporate dip switches to permit the number of bonuses to be varied and to change the frequency at which the bonuses are awarded. In gaming machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or increased play, while in vending machines the bonus can be in the form of additional credits or the dispensing of bonus product with the product purchased from the machine. Alternatively, the bonus award system can be incorporated into the money acceptor. In vending machines, a sensor may be incorporated to sense the dispensing of product from the vending machine to ascertain the utilization rate of the machine for the awarding of bonuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Spadafora
  • Patent number: 7891666
    Abstract: For measuring a shot force exerted on a movable game device, a time curve of the acceleration during the shot or of the pressure within the game device during the shot is recorded and processed to obtain an energy measure, said energy measure then serving to provide information about the shot force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cairos Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Kuenzler, Walter Englert
  • Patent number: 7891664
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to wagering games and, more particularly, to a gaming machine which determines game outcomes with a mechanical selector mechanism. Wagering games with game outcomes produced by a mechanical mechanism have not been widely accepted. Mechanical gaming machines are susceptible to bias from both inherent manufacturing defects and wear related degradation. Because gaming machines must meet regulatory required payback percentages, deviation from random operation may jeopardize the gaming machine's license. To overcome bias that may cause operation of the gaming machine outside its regulatory approved technical specifications, a feedback control loop can be implemented in the gaming machine to detect and correct bias as it occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. White, Michael P. Casey
  • Patent number: 7887419
    Abstract: Systems and method for providing a game achievements system where players are rewarded with game achievements based on mastering certain in-game facets of the games they play. Each game achievement may be conveyed in a profile as a badge or trophy, title, description, date, etc. Players may also accumulate points based on game achievements. A display interface may be made available such that a player may see his achievements and total points, as well as those of others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michal Bortnik, Vincent H. Curley, James His-Kai Jen, James David Macauley, Ling Tony Chen, Steven D. Lamb
  • Patent number: 7887440
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf-club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Wright, David Anderson, Peter J. Roberts, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7887410
    Abstract: When a predetermined amount of credits have been inserted into a slot machine, the game mode is switched from the non-insurance mode to the insurance mode according to the player's input operation via a touch panel. In the insurance mode, determination is made whether or not the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount. When determination has been made that the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount, the number of games is counted after switching of the game mode to the insurance mode. When the counted number of games reaches a predetermined number, a predetermined amount of credits is paid out. Furthermore, in this case, only in a case where determination has been made that the amount of credits bet on the game matches the maximum bet amount, the difference between the counted number of games and the predetermined number is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7887427
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for computing and outputting a putting backstroke instruction for a planned putt of a golf ball during recreational play. A computing means includes means for initializing or customizing according to a specific golfer putting on a specific golf green, the golfer putting at least one initializing putt a pre-selected distance on a level area of a green. During recreational play thereafter, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the golfer, for each segment of a planned putt enters the applicable grade and length. The computing means outputs to the golfer an instruction for the length of the backstroke recommended, i.e., required for the planned putt. Another embodiment of the invention requires the inputting of the length of the planned putt but excludes the inputting of the grade of the green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Gary E. Schmidt, Philip A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7883413
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine may be customized according to one or more player preferences. A player may view and modify player preferences stored in a player preference account as preference account information. The preference account information may include but is not limited to loyalty point account information, loyalty point account settings, promotional opportunities, preferred games, preferred game features for the preferred games, preferred gaming machine settings, preferred bonus games, preferred service options and preferred progressive games. The preference account information may be stored in a plurality of preference accounts on a preference account server. Using a preference account interface which may be compatible with a web-browser, a player may be able to view and modify preference account information stored on the preference account server from a number remote devices such as a gaming machine, a home computer, a hotel room video interface and a casino kiosk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Craig A. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 7883416
    Abstract: A screen-based host with processing and I/O facilities interacts with distributed items that are arranged for storing and exchanging digital information with the host. In particular, under proximity conditions and initially without user interaction, the items exchange accordingly with the host, but without requiring formatted berth facilities of the host. The various items through associated self-identifying evoke specific iconizing by the host for signaling to the user an associated service field. The host allows a user person to activate data processing operations with respect to the service field. During proximity conditions, the items keep abreast of host-generated results relevant to a corresponding service field. The host allows free styling of the items with respect to the item's physical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Dobrusskin, Jacoba J. Van Dorssen, Paul D. McGroary, Roger P. Swales, Jan P. C. Van Der Voet
  • Patent number: 7883421
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a transparent panel with a first and second surface, and a conductive coating disposed proximate to the second surface, wherein the coating has a high visible light transmittance and a low electrical surface resistance. The gaming apparatus also comprises a grounded metallic strip coupled to the coating and located at a perimeter of the coating, a value input device, and a mechanically rotatable reel that is disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reel is visible to a player of the gaming apparatus through the transparent panel and the coating. Also included is a controller that comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game incorporating the mechanically rotatable reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Steven W. Moore, Ron D. Dulco, Paul Fiorillo, Cynthia Criss-Puszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 7883417
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming system allows game configuration of gaming machines in the gaming system via wireless transmissions from a hand-held device. For instance, via the hand-held device, a user can configure a plurality of gaming machines in range of the device with different games or hardware settings. Further, via the hand-held device, a user can gather information from a number of gaming machines in range of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Vincent Carmelo Bruzzese, Scott Paul Shelley, Richard E. Rowe
  • Patent number: 7878916
    Abstract: An ultrasonic trigger for a golf equipment performance monitor is described. In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic trigger comprises at least one emitter and receiver. The emitters periodically generate sound waves at an ultrasonic frequency. The sound waves are targeted towards an object or objects within a target area. The sound waves are reflected by the objects within the target area, and are detected by at least one receiver. The receiver may be connected to a computational device to determine the position and/or velocity of the objects within the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Laurent C. Bissonnette
  • Patent number: RE46905
    Abstract: A communications system network that enables secondary use of spectrum on a non-interference basis is disclosed. Each secondary transceiver measures the background spectrum. The system uses a modulation method to measure the background signals that eliminates self-generated interference and also identifies the secondary signal to all primary users via on/off amplitude modulation, allowing easy resolution of interference claims. The system uses high-processing gain probe waveforms that enable propagation measurements to be made with minimal interference to the primary users. The system measures background signals and identifies the types of nearby receivers and modifies the local frequency assignments to minimize interference caused by a secondary system due to non-linear mixing interference and interference caused by out-of-band transmitted signals (phase noise, harmonics, and spurs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SHARED SPECTRUM COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Allen McHenry
  • Patent number: RE49791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus schedule user equipment uplink transmissions on an unlicensed carrier. A grant for transmitting physical uplink shared channel on a serving cell operating on an unlicensed carrier can be received in a subframe. A set of subframes can be determined for possible transmission of the physical uplink shared channel. Listen before talk can be performed on the unlicensed carrier to determine an earliest unoccupied subframe in the set of subframes. A physical uplink shared channel can be transmitted in multiple subframes within the set of subframes on the unlicensed carrier, starting with the earliest unoccupied subframe, in response to receiving the grant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Ravikiran Nory, Vijay Nangia, Murali Narasimha, Ajit Nimbalker
  • Patent number: RE49828
    Abstract: A low-cost, simple ultrasonic sensing system has an increased detection range. The ultrasonic sensing system may be implemented as part of a load control system for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. The load control system may comprise a load control device for controlling the power delivered to the electrical load, an ultrasonic receiver for receiving ultrasonic waves characterized by an ultrasonic frequency, and an ultrasonic transmitter located remotely from the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device controls the power delivered to the electrical load in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver. The load control device may include the ultrasonic receiver and may be a wall-mounted load control device. The ultrasonic receiver may be a wireless ultrasonic receiver for transmitting wireless signals to the load control device in response to the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Greg Edward Sloan