Patents Examined by Michael O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6935951
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides electronic signature capability to enable signature transactions to be effected from the gaming machine. The gaming machine utilizes electronic signature capture and authentication software in conjunction with an electronic signature database to authenticate an electronic signature input on the gaming machine. The authentication software may be co-located with the electronic signature capture software on the gaming machine or may be remotely located from the electronic signature capture software. The electronic signature database may be co-located with either or both the electronic signature capture software and authentication software or may be remotely located from either or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6932699
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a game that makes it possible to freely establish a region by expanding or contracting various regions relating to a game with a simple operation. If a closed region for expansion or contraction is moved to a position adjacent to an already established expansion or contraction object region, and an expansion operation performed in a state where a boundary of the closed region for expansion or contraction and a boundary of the object region, the closed region for expansion or contraction is added to the original object region to enlarge the area of the object region. Thus, the boundary displayed overlapping on the object region and the closed region for expansion or contraction are removed, and a single linked boundary is formed on the new object region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhisa Ueda, Tatsuto Yabe, Isao Matsuoka, Tadaaki Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 6932705
    Abstract: A video game including a player's character that can move in a currently executed game stage. When the target position to be next reached by a player's character does not exist within a radar screen display area in the game field, a flashing target position mark is displayed in the vicinity of the intersection of a segment connecting the player's character position, the target position and the end portion of the radar screen. Thus, the direction toward the target position viewing from the player's character position can be recognized by the target position mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Nakazato
  • Patent number: 6932700
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display 14 The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The display 14 displays a plurality of movable carriers 18. Each of at least certain of the carriers 18 carries a representation of at least one polyhedral element. Each polyhedral element has a plurality of faces which are visible at any one time with an indicium being carried on each face. Indicia on faces of the polyhedral elements which are visible at a rest condition of the carriers are taken into consideration in the determination of whether or not a winning event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, Natalie Bryant
  • Patent number: 6929952
    Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a symbol generator and a plurality of symbols. When two or more predetermined symbols are generated and displayed, the bonus round terminates. Depending upon which symbols the gaming device generates and displays, the bonus round may or may not terminate. This type of bonus scheme provides an exciting manner of terminating bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 6923717
    Abstract: A method for controlling game play for use in a video game, wherein a plurality of possible animated actions can be taken by a game character in response to an input from a user provided through a game controller. The method includes: detecting user input from the game controller requesting an animated action by the player; reading an adrenaline value from a control element on the controller indicating a level of aggression desired by the user for the animated action; selecting an animated action from the plurality of possible animated actions based at least in part on the adrenaline value; and performing the selected animated action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nintendo of America Inc.
    Inventors: Umrao Mayer, Bob Baker, John Brandwood, Mike Knauer, Colin Palmer
  • Patent number: 6921332
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to obtain operation signals to enable operation of a more complex game by individually detecting movement in at least two axial directions. The present invention provides a pair of right and left controllers 21 and 22 that generate operation signals based on which game action is instructed, each controller having a main section 210 in the shape of a glove in which the hand is inserted, and in which is mounted an acceleration sensor 2124 that individually detects movement in three axial directions x, y and z (front/back, right/left, up/down). Each detection signal is deemed an operation signal for game action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Shozo Fukunaga, Ryo Ueda, Satoshi Ueda, Shigenobu Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 6916243
    Abstract: A first display displays a predetermined number of symbols among a plurality of symbols including at least one special symbol. A storage stores a first number of times that a special symbol combination is appeared on the first display, the special symbol combination includes a first symbol combination in which at least one special symbol is included and a second symbol combination which is a predetermined combination of the symbols. A determinant determines whether the first number of times stored in the storage is not less than a second, predetermined number. A signal generator generates an award signal for causing the gaming machine to provide an award to a player in accordance with the special symbol combination displayed on the first display, when the determinant determines the first number of times is not less than the second number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6917282
    Abstract: A touch pad scoring apparatus for a dart game includes a touch pad mounted on a housing. The touch pad is has a plurality of segments. Each touch pad segment has a pressure-sensitive sensor operatively connected to a controller. A user applies pressure, for example with a stylus or a finger, to at least one segment corresponding to the dart board segment impacted by a thrown dart. The scoring apparatus has a memory and displays which allow the apparatus to track and display the scores of multiple players though the course of the dart game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: DMI Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Giegerich
  • Patent number: 6913532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination bonus symbols trigger the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Ryan W. Cuddy
  • Patent number: 6910962
    Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Marks, Anthony Singer, Howard Marks
  • Patent number: 6905411
    Abstract: A method and gaming machine/system designed or configured to provide security to cashless gaming system instruments, such as EZ PAY tickets, by placing authentication information data on the ticket. Player authentication data is acquired via an interface provided by a gaming machine and the data is then placed on a cashless instrument so that it may later be read and authenticated. Such instruments could then only be negotiated by the person identified by the player authentication data placed on the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Binh T. Nguyen, Craig A. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 6902478
    Abstract: An interactive bonus game played in conjunction with a base game. To initiate play, a player selects a character from a list of characters in a gaming device. The player then makes a wager and plays the base game. Entry into the bonus game is achieved upon a qualification event in the base game. In the bonus game, the players have the option of modifying attributes for the selected characters. The bonus game provides the qualified player with the option to challenge another player or a computer-generated opponent in a player to player contest. A player may also be challenged by a computer-generated opponent. The challenged player then chooses whether to surrender to the qualified player or to accept the challenge. Upon acceptance of the challenge, the contest is conducted between the two players and a winner is determined, which may at least in part be affected by the attributes of the characters as modified by the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Monica A. McClintic
  • Patent number: 6902483
    Abstract: A handheld electronic game device shaped as a toy gun with two handles and two triggers, and one or more built-in display screens. The device may be played as a stand-alone device, or played with an external game unit having a display screen. When played with an external unit, the handheld device and the external unit may be provided with an aiming relationship detection system to detect an aiming of the handheld device with respect the display screen of the external unit. In one example, the screen of the external unit displays a terrain or a scene seen by the player, and the built-in display of the handheld device simulates a view seen through a scope used on traditional guns. An additional display screen may be provided on the handheld device to simulate a radar scan or satellite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Xiao Lin
  • Patent number: 6896617
    Abstract: A reel spinning gaming device 10 includes a plurality of selectable reels 20 each having game symbols 30 located thereon, a selection system 40, an actuating system 50, and a prize controller 60. Each reel displays an outcome symbol 30 after having been spun. The number of selectable reels 20 included in the gaming device 10 is larger than that utilized for an individual game. In this regard, the selection system 40 designates a subset of the selectable reels as the initial active reels 70 for the initial game. The actuating system 50 then spins the initial active reels 70, after which the prize controller 60 determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbols 30 from the initial active reels 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventor: Terence Gerard Daly
  • Patent number: 6890261
    Abstract: A game system, program and image generating method for drawing an object viewed from various angles are provided. The thickness of an outline image of the object is changed depending on the face shape of the object. The outline image is drawn with a thicker outline when an angle ? between a first vector extending from a point on the face toward the viewpoint and a normal vector changes from the right angle with a lower decrement, and drawn with a thinner outline line when the angle ? changes from the right angle with a higher decrement. The outline image is drawn in the vicinity of an area defined by ????90°. An outline texture specified by a texture coordinate, determined based on the inner product between the first vector and the normal vector, is mapped on the object. Another outline image, having constant thickness, is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Nagase
  • Patent number: 6886829
    Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a key pad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before paying a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winning hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thomas Baker
  • Patent number: 6887156
    Abstract: Interactive wagering systems and methods with multiple television feeds are provided. A plurality of television feeds may be related to a race and race-related characteristics. A television feed may carry television feed information, which may provide sufficient information to allow a user to select an appropriate television feed for a wager or to allow the system to automatically select an appropriate feed for a wager. The interactive wagering application may also record a television feed so that the user may interact with the television feeds at any time. Wagering services may be also provided to a user through more than one wagering interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: ODS Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby DeWeese, Masood Garahi, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6884173
    Abstract: A plurality of EGMs are connected within a network. Each of the EGMs is remotely configurable so as to enable an operator to select any desired parameter of the game. The configuration of one EGM may be uploaded to the network and programmed into other EGMs connected to the network. An operator may program the initial EGM at the EGM itself or remotely. In another embodiment, one EGM (a master) may download its configuration settings into other EGMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Atronic International GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Gauselmann
  • Patent number: 6884171
    Abstract: A video game distribution network for use in airlines, trains, hotels, cruise ships, set top boxes, cable television systems, satellite and other wireless systems or other communications systems, distributes special purpose game binary image files to general purpose computing/display devices. Software emulators running on the general purpose computing/display devices model the game source platform and interpret and/or compile the game files to provide interactive video game play. Software emulators for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY®, GAME BOY COLOR® and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE® on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) may provide any number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles P. Eck, Scott Elliott, Hiroshi Kamada, Patrick Link, David McCarten