Patents Examined by Mark Sager
  • Patent number: 7033273
    Abstract: An individual electronic game for playing lotto wherein acknowledgment as to the player's win or loss status is rapidly displayed. The player plays his/her selected numbers against the electronic lotto gaming apparatus randomly generated win numbers. In addition, the lotto gaming apparatus can transfer and receive lotto game information to a central processing system which is capable of handling multiple players from multiple lotto gaming apparatus either within a certain gaming facility or on a more universal, state wide, nationally or internationally. An additional embodiment of the invention allows individual players of the lotto games, with rapid determination of win status, via an electronic telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Carl M. Olson
  • Patent number: 7033281
    Abstract: The biomechanical angle of a body joint 11 of a trainee during a given physical activity is continuously monitored and a corresponding audible tracking signal (31, 32, 33, 43, 42, 44) is provided, in real time, to the trainee. This audible tracking signal augments kinematic feedback to the trainee regarding the physical activity and thereby facilitates ease or rapidity of training. In various embodiments, multiple body joints can be monitored, sensitivity of the tracking signal with respect to biomechanical angle excursions can be modified, tracking signals can be recorded for later playback, and a metronome beat can be provided in conjunction with the tracking signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventors: James V. Carnahan, David M. Blackshear
  • Patent number: 7018294
    Abstract: There is provided a video game console device including means to receive detachable interactive program storage means for execution by the console, processing and operating means for executing the interactive program stored on the detachable interactive program storage means for delivery to a video output, communication means to enable operational interaction input from external control devices during execution of the program, an integral printer apparatus including a printhead, ink supply unit, an internal print media supply unit, and print media feed means, the printer apparatus being operatively associated with the processing and operating means to print out images relevant to the interactive program. In the preferred form, the console is designed for use with a detachable controller module that includes a variety of interactive control devices such as joysticks and control buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7018292
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Scientific Games Royalty Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tracy, Jason E. Bliss, Alvin R. Ringgold, Jr., Mark G. Meyer, Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7018293
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a game has in one aspect a plurality of game elements of at least two types, such as game pieces which have two different sides, and are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, for instance. A player may select a number of arrangements of matching game elements (e.g., lines of contiguous matching game-piece sides) to wager upon in the chance outcome arrangement in play. Aggregation of the number of winning arrangements determines the outcome, most preferably with an increasing non-linear payout in view of that aggregate number. The invention also discloses a related bonus game, which in a preferred embodiment is based upon an Othello®-type game particularly for a gaming machine using outflanking game pieces, such that any game pieces with opponent's side or color showing are converted to game pieces with player's side or color, with an award or payoff according to the level of successful advancement in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Case Venture Management, LLC
    Inventors: Duncan F. Brown, Alfred Thomas, Scott D. Slomiany, Lawrence E. DeMar, Benjamin T. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7014560
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a plurality of reels each having a plurality of award symbols, a terminating condition, at least one award indicator and a processor connected to the reels. The processor activates the reels and randomly stops one of the reels. An award is provided to the player if an award symbol is indicated on the stopped reel. If a terminating condition occurs with respect to a reel, the reel is deactivated. If a terminating condition does not occur, the processor re-activates the reel. The gaming device continues to activate the reels until all of the reels are deactivated. The player then receives the total accumulated award for the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Paulina Glavich, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7008323
    Abstract: An objective is to provide an image generation system and program which can implement a realistic image with less processing load and without giving any unnatural feel to a player. It is determined whether or not any obstruction OB intervenes between an enemy character controlled by a computer and a viewpoint VP (or player's character) (or whether or not the obstruction OB exists on a line connecting an enemy character to a viewpoint The present invention is particularly effective when the motion of the enemy character C1 is generated in real time through the physical simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7008318
    Abstract: An off-line remote lottery system which enables players to purchase instant-type lottery game outcomes from a randomized prize data stream in a central computer, and view the outcomes on remotely disposed gaming computers which do not require an on-line connection during play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Schneier, Jay S. Walker, James Jorasch
  • Patent number: 7008321
    Abstract: The invention comprises a gaming system including at least one gaming machine arranged to accept and print receipts. In one embodiment of a method, a player playing a gaming machine is issued a receipt which represents credit or value belonging to the player, and includes secondary information. The secondary information may comprise promotional award information, such as a matching bet for use in playing another game or a prize, or information unrelated to the games, such as a horoscope. In another embodiment of the invention, a method comprises issuing a first receipt at a first location, such as a parking garage, accepting the first receipt at a gaming machine, issuing a second receipt at the gaming machine and then accepting the second receipt at another location, such as a parking garage exit. In this method, the gaming machine serves as a validation mechanism to a player activity or event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Rick Rowe, Ward Chilton
  • Patent number: 7008320
    Abstract: The invention comprises a gaming machine adapted to print receipts. In one embodiment, the gaming machine is associated with a gaming system including a player tracking or reward system. The gaming machine includes a receipt printer/generator. Game play data is stored remote from the gaming machine. In the event the player's play reaches a predetermined level or satisfies particular criteria, the player is provided an award. Information regarding the award is generated and stored remotely, and the gaming machine is caused to print a receipt which may be redeemed for the award. The award may be goods or services, such as a free dinner or additional game play. The award is separate from any winnings associated with a winning outcome of a game played on the machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged to print a receipt containing operational data, such as gaming machine accounting or diagnosis information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Rick Rowe, Randy Hedrick
  • Patent number: 7008319
    Abstract: An electronic gaming device having a plurality of games available for selection by a user allows selection of multiple games for concurrent play. One or more of the multiple games selected by the user in turn are utilized to create composite pay tables. These selection-dependant pay tables in turn provide the basis for additional betting opportunities for the user. The networking of multiple electronic gaming devices having the concurrent play feature provides multiple users with the betting opportunities embodied in these composite pay tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Diane S. Montgomery, legal representative, Tyler T. Parham, David B. Montgomery, deceased
  • Patent number: 7004834
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating play of a game with user-selected elements. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a set of all possible elements of a game is determined. Each of the elements of the set is associated with at least one of a plurality of locations. A representation of the plurality of locations is displayed to a player, defining a set of selectable locations. At least one selection signal is received, with each selection signal indicating a selectable location from the set of selectable locations, indicating at least one selected element. An outcome is determined based on the at least one selected element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, Jr., Russell Pratt Sammon, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 7001272
    Abstract: A game system that allows a player to manipulate a real interface device in a real space and have a representation of the real interface device (i.e., a virtual interface device) be displayed in a virtual space is disclosed. The position of the real interface device in the real space is detected by a position detector and converted into spatial coordinates by a three-dimensional input conversion means at predetermined time intervals. When a player moves the real interface device, a virtual interface device is displayed within the virtual space and moves identically with the real interface device. The virtual interface device is determined to have struck an object in the virtual space (e.g., an enemy) when the coordinates of at least a portion of the object in the virtual space are the same as, or within a predetermined range of, the coordinates of the virtual interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Yamashita, Masato Nagatomi, Kenichi Yamamoto, Hideki Kotani
  • Patent number: 7001278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Darren Maya, Marc Mierau, Ryan W. Cuddy, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7001277
    Abstract: A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 6997806
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for playing a betting game in which a player selects at least one betting line. The player-selected betting lines correspond to particular cells on a game board. Each cell on the game board is assigned a randomly selected spinner icon. The spinner icons within cells corresponding to a selected betting line are evaluated to determine if a winning condition as defined in a payout table has been achieved. A winning condition occurs when a predetermined minimum number of identical icons in the one or more player-selected betting lines are displayed. If a bonus feature icon is displayed by at least one of the cells, a bonus feature is automatically activated enabling the player to earn additional winnings. The present invention may be configured as a slot machine and provided within a gaming establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Sal Falciglia, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6997805
    Abstract: A method for operating two different bonus games in a casino game machine. The first bonus game is played when a first predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs on a pay line. The bonus game has a meter and a path to a goal wherein the path has a number of stopping points. The player advances based on player input from stopping point to stopping point along the path to the goal until either the meter reaches a predetermined value that ends the bonus game or until the goal is reached. The second bonus game is played when a second predetermined orientation of the bonus symbols occurs. The operation of the casino game is further affected by providing a graphic image in the video display of the reels to affect the play outcome. A game ticket version is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6994625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for playing a betting game in which a player selects at least one betting line. The player-selected betting lines correspond to particular cells on a game board. Each cell on the game board is assigned a randomly selected spinner icon. The spinner icons within cells corresponding to a selected betting line are evaluated to determine if a winning condition as defined in a payout table has been achieved. A winning condition occurs when a predetermined minimum number of identical icons in the one or more player-selected betting lines are displayed. The present invention may be configured as a slot machine and provided within a gaming establishment. Additionally, the present invention is also configurable as an online betting game playable over a network or as a user-installable program installable on a personal computer or other such computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Sal Falciglia, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6991542
    Abstract: To output music other than original music, which is suitable to keep a player excited, in the place of a part of the original music, such as a beginning or ending thereof, which is unsuitable to serve as game music. When main part end timing TE arrives while outputting original music MO1, connection music MI2, correlated with original music MO2, which is next game music, begins playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignees: Konami Corporation, KCE Tokyo Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi Asami, Atsumu Miyazawa, Masafumi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6991541
    Abstract: A lottery ticket distribution system according to the invention includes a ticket distribution center (9) that is in electronic communication with a number of player terminals (10) at locations remote to the ticket distribution center. The ticket distribution center (9) includes an electronic ticket storage device (11, 20) for storing a game set (29) of electronic tickets (31) and distributing the electronic tickets to the player terminals (10). A ticket record manufacturing device (14, 15) operatively connected to the ticket distribution center (9) provides either a nonvolatile data record for each ticket or a hard copy ticket, or both. The nonvolatile data records or set of hard copy tickets for a given game set are not distributed to the players, but are held for verification and dispute resolution purposes either at the ticket distribution center (9) or some other secure location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton Lind, Gordon T. Graves, Joseph R. Enzminger, Jefferson C. Lind, Gary L. Loebig