Patents Examined by Pierre E. Elisca
  • Patent number: 11170606
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing secure wagering gaming operations involving randomly generating a plurality of playing cards as a player hand and randomly generating a plurality of playing cards as a dealer hand, distributing a payout responsive to the satisfaction of at least one of the following preset criteria: the player hand establishing a player qualifying hand of a first number of playing cards of the plurality of playing cards in the player hand, wherein the first number of playing cards is greater than a second number of playing cards of the plurality of playing cards in the dealer hand establishing a dealer qualifying hand; or wherein the first number of playing cards is the same as the second number of playing cards, and at least one playing card of the player qualifying hand has a higher rank than each playing card establishing the dealer qualifying hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Phung My Chau
  • Patent number: 11164421
    Abstract: A gaming system includes an EGM having a horizontally mounted display device, a reader device configured to wirelessly detect tagged items. The EGM is configured to detect, using the reader device, the presence of a first tagged item and determine a tag identifier (ID) of the first tagged item. The EGM is also configured to transmit a tag detection message to a gaming support server and receive, from the gaming support server, a response message including an amount of play credits to be added to a credit meter of the EGM. The EGM is further configured to increment a first credit meter on the EGM by the amount of play credits identified in the response message and to conduct instances of game play of an electronic game on the display device, each instance of game play decrementing the first credit meter to enable play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Mordecai Marks
  • Patent number: 11160513
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods directed to evaluating a vessel of a patient are provided. The method includes outputting, to a display, a screen display including: a visual representation of a pressure ratio of pressure measurements obtained by first and second instruments positioned within a vessel while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel and the first instrument remains stationary within the vessel; and a visual representation of the vessel; receiving a user input to modify one of the visual representations of the pressure ratio and the vessel to simulate a therapeutic procedure; and updating the screen display, in response to the user input, including: modifying the selected one of the visual representation of the pressure ratio and the vessel based on the received user input; and correspondingly modifying the unselected one of the visual representation of the pressure ratio and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJIKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: David Anderson, Andrew Tochterman
  • Patent number: 11158165
    Abstract: After a game is performed, a lottery process for selecting any content from among a plurality of contents by lot is executed. In accordance with the degree of rarity of the content selected by lot in the lottery process, the number of times of an operation to be performed by a user is set. Before a lottery result is displayed, lottery representation is performed, and in the lottery representation, a user is caused to perform the operation. In accordance with the fact that the number of times of the operation performed by the user reaches the set number of times of the operation, the lottery result is displayed on a display section. When the number of times of the operation performed by the user does not reach the set number of times of the operation, representation is changed in accordance with the user operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihito Ito, Hirokazu Matsuura, Yugo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11158163
    Abstract: A gaming machine is disclosed that comprises a selector configured to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display in respective display positions in a display area, and a display position selector configured to select at least one display position. The system also has a function allocator configured to allocate a WILD function to each symbol displayed at a selected display position and to allocate a WILD function to each displayed symbol that is the same as a symbol displayed at a selected display position. An outcome evaluator determines a game outcome based on the displayed symbols and each allocated WILD function, and an award allocator allocates an award based on the game outcome determined by the outcome evaluator. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Chan, Lipi Gupta
  • Patent number: 11154770
    Abstract: Input data containing at least strain data corresponding to deformation of an input apparatus or motion data corresponding to a motion or orientation of the input apparatus, is obtained from the input apparatus. Based on the motion data, a first object is caused to move in a virtual space or an orientation of the first object in the virtual space is changed. Based on the strain data, the first object is caused to perform a predetermined action in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Nintento Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kitahara, Shota Shimada, Atsushi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11148040
    Abstract: A ball delivery device, system, and method housing a plurality of balls for a game session is presented. The ball delivery device includes a mixing chamber that receives the plurality of balls for the game session, a mixing arm (or arms) that mixes the plurality of balls within the mixing chamber during the game session, a ball holder disposed on the arm, wherein the ball holder captures a single ball from the mixing chamber during the game session and deposits the ball on a reading platform, an agitator mechanically coupled to the reading platform, wherein the agitator induces a vibration in the reading platform, a reader that scans an identifier printed on the ball as the ball rotates on the vibrating reading platform, and a camera that captures an image of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TRIPP ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Tripp, Bryan Born, Ray Duer, Al Grinsell, Michael Hall, Ken Juenke, Rick Smith, Matt Walsh
  • Patent number: 11151841
    Abstract: A gaming machine, system, and method for presenting a game may include accepting a wager, randomly selecting k relocatable indicia from a set of N possible indicia, where N>k, positioning the k indicia into j possible locations (j>=k), evaluating the k indicia relative to first paytable with payout rules based solely on the indicia values, evaluating the k indicia relative to a second paytable with payout rules based on at least the location of the indicia, and awarding any prizes earned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. Donelan, Mark C. Nicely, Steve Cartwright
  • Patent number: 11144847
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for training an action selection system used to select actions to be performed by an agent interacting with a target environment to perform a task in the target environment. In one aspect, a method comprises: obtaining a target environment model of the target environment; modifying the target environment model of the target environment to generate an obfuscated environment model of an obfuscated environment that represents an obfuscation of the target environment; obtaining, from each of a plurality of users, one or more obfuscated environment trajectories that represent interaction of the user with the obfuscated environment through the corresponding obfuscated environment simulation; mapping each of the obfuscated environment trajectories to a corresponding target environment trajectory; and training the action selection system on the target environment trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Latent Strategies LLC
    Inventor: John Van Wieheren Reynders, III
  • Patent number: 11141649
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to methods, products and systems for streamlining the process of playing bingo. This patent is directed to a computer application whereby a computing device such as a mobile phone captures one or more likenesses of a bingo card(s) using the camera function of the device. Optical character or image recognition software and algorithms interpret and store the card(s) and corresponding characters. When characters are called for matching with the bingo cards in play, the called character is entered into the computing device. The application compares the called character to those captured by the computing device to identify instances of matches on each card in play until a winning card is identified and the player is alerted of the win, or until the game is over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Walter Brian Mansell, Daniel Scott Dryden
  • Patent number: 11135507
    Abstract: A head-mountable display (HMD) for use with a processing device, the HMD comprising a display unit for displaying image content to the user, and a directional airflow unit operable to generate a directional airflow in accordance with control data corresponding to an appropriate airflow for content to be displayed on the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick John Connor, Simon Mark Benson
  • Patent number: 11138839
    Abstract: A peer-to-peer wager facilitation system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a storage comprising a gambler library with a plurality of gambler profiles. The processor is configured to receive a wager offer from a first gambler through a network, verify that the first gambler has the first amount of money, and reject the wager offer if the first gambler does not have the first amount of money. The processor is also configured to receive a wager acceptance from a second gambler through the network agreeing to the wager with the first gambler, verify that the second gambler has the second amount of money, and reject the wager acceptance if the second gambler does not have the second amount of money. The processor is configured to transfer the funds into a neutral third-party account, verify the outcome of the wager, and pay the funds to the winning party of the wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: VIGZERO HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Charles Dunlap
  • Patent number: 11135521
    Abstract: An access control system that includes an access control device configured to receive transaction information that identifies a member identifier for a member and a purchased item. The access control device is configured to compare the purchased item to items in an item list and to determine whether the purchased item matches any items in the item list. The access control device is configured to store an authorization for the member identifier to access an augmented reality experience in response to a match. The access control device is configured to receive a number of session points earned by the member from interacting with the augmented reality experience, to add the received number of session points to the cumulative number of session points for the member, to identify a reward based on the cumulative session points, and to send reward information for retrieving the identified reward to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: 7-ELEVEN, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Nathan Beran, Sajjad Mahmood Khan, Santhanagopalakrishnan Panchapakesan, Stephen Patrick Kinch, Tarang Swadeshkumar Sethia, Mark Hollon, Maninder Singh Suri, Manish Agarwal, Gurmeet Singh
  • Patent number: 11127262
    Abstract: Gaming systems that provide an award in association with a play of a card game wherein a playing card is determined via a first determination of a suit of that playing card and a separate second determination of a rank of that playing card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Daniel Helzer, Bradford Brown
  • Patent number: 11117052
    Abstract: In a case where operations to a player character are restricted and a virtual camera is controlled according to event data, motion of the user's head, which is detected by an HMD 300, is reflected on the direction of the virtual camera that is set based on the event data. As a result, even in a situation where the user cannot operate the player character as he/she wants, images displayed on the HMD 300 move together with motion of the head. Therefore, it is possible to reduce occurrence of simulator sickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takahara, Keisuke Yamakawa, Hiroshi Hattori
  • Patent number: 11120663
    Abstract: An gaming apparatus, systems and methods with a remote redemption option including a payment acceptance device for accepting payment from a player; at least one display screen that displays symbols, a player's balance and game status information; at least one electronic game module for storing gaming information, operating a game and/or determining a redemption amount to a player; a control electronics in communication with the at least one electronic game module for processing the redemption amount to the player; and a payout dispenser for dispensing a redemption voucher to the player. The disclosure also includes an exchange center having an exchange point of sale within a store having at least one gaming device, wherein the exchange center accepts the redemption voucher as payment for an item of value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Todd Jordan
  • Patent number: 11110349
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including setting, at a server, a server VSYNC signal to a server VSYNC frequency defining a plurality of frame periods. The server VSYNC signal corresponding to generation of a plurality of video frames at the server during the plurality of frame periods. The method including setting, at a client, a client VSYNC signal to a client VSYNC frequency. The method including sending a plurality of compressed video frames based on the plurality of video frames from the server to the client over a network using the server VSYNC signal. The method including decoding and displaying, at the client, the plurality of compressed video frames. The method including analyzing the timing of one or more client operations to set the amount of frame buffering used by the client, as the client receives the plurality of compressed video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Cerny, Kelvin M. Yong
  • Patent number: 11110347
    Abstract: A game server switching method, applied to a game server switching system, is provided, the game server switching system including a load balancer, a network-layer access subsystem, a network-layer proxy subsystem, a game logic subsystem, and a role login management server. A communication connection is established between the network-layer access subsystem and the second game server based on the route switching request message. A write-back request is sent by the first game server to the role login management server. User role data are sent by the role login management server to the second game server based on the write-back request. In response to obtaining the user role data from the role login management server, the game data are sent by the second game server to the game client by using the network-layer proxy subsystem, the network-layer access subsystem, and the load balancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LTD
    Inventors: Lin Liu, Xiao Cheng Ding
  • Patent number: 11107325
    Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Aries Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie W. Harris, Kent Reisdorph, Janae Hoover, Rochelle Terman
  • Patent number: 11100757
    Abstract: A gaming system and method corresponding to a linked bingo tournament is described. The gaming system includes bingo gaming clients, a progressive prize, a tournament session, bingo game sessions, and a tournament prize. The tournament session includes predetermined bingo game sessions for each bingo gaming client. Each bingo game session for each bingo gaming client associates a random bingo outcome with a symbolic representation that is displayed on each bingo gaming client. The tournament prize is awarded to one or more bingo gaming clients displaying a highest point total upon completion of the tournament session. The progressive prize is awarded to each player at the completion of the game session when the random bingo outcome matches a progressive prize bingo pattern. The progressive prize is evenly split among two or more player when the two or more players achieve the progressive prize bingo pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PILOT GAMES, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Weaver, Warren R. White, Anthony M. Morelli, William D. Hermansen