Patents Examined by Ross A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10102709
    Abstract: The disclosed gaming system displays an arrangement of symbols including a plurality of symbol positions. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a randomly generated symbol in each symbol position. One or more of the symbols are displayed as associated with a directional indicator indicating a shift direction for that symbol. If any winning symbol combination is displayed, the gaming system shifts at least one symbol within the symbol matrix according to the directional indicator associated with that symbol, such as by shifting the symbol as designated distance in the shift direction indicated by the symbol's directional indicator. In one embodiment, the gaming system removes one or more symbols in the shift path of a shifting symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming system generates and displays new symbols in the then-empty symbol positions of the symbol matrix and repeats the determination, shifting, and generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Scott A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 10076704
    Abstract: In such a timing game that a user taps on a collision position at a time when fore ends of a line object 51A and a line object 51B (hereinafter line objects 51) collide, a background image in perspective is displayed as if moving in depth direction. Simultaneously, the line objects 51 are moved corresponding to the background image. Therefore, it is possible to display the line objects 51 as if moving in depth direction, so that it is possible to provide the timing game with sense of speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haruka Tawarayama, Hsinyun Hsieh, Yoshiyuki Yoshita, Naoki Maeda, Naoki Tarama, Takenobu Fujishima
  • Patent number: 10035066
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote play device for an interactive entertainment system and may include a class D amplifier and at least one motion detection device. The remote play device may also include a processor to adapt sound effects played through the class D amplifier based upon the at least one motion detection device. A battery may also be included powering at least the class D amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelici, Andrea Mario Onetti
  • Patent number: 10013843
    Abstract: A display, as for an electronic gaming machine, includes one or more rotatable mechanical reels including at least one variable displaying position at which the display may be varied. Content is displayed at the variable displaying position when the variable displaying position registers with the display. One or more reels can include a reel strip which includes at one location a pre-printed symbol and at another location a window. A video display can be arranged, configured and controlled by a processor to cast a display at the inside of the reel to impart light and video effects to pre-printed symbol locations or to cast video content through the reel strip window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
    Inventors: Philip Jeffery Anderson, Linn Anthony McKay, Scott Monroe Stewart, Anthony Wayne Bond
  • Patent number: 9990803
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an electronic gaming device including a memory, a processor, and a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels may include one or more areas. The memory may include one or more one or more subscription based progressive structures. The processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: AGS LLC
    Inventors: Godfrey Imudia, Jared Torres, Steven Davis
  • Patent number: 9916718
    Abstract: A console for enabling play of a casino wagering game has: a video display screen; a player input system; a wager accepting and resolving system; a ball drop-and-capture gaming system; sensors for the gaming system; and a processor. Separate areas are provided on the video display screen for display of distinct results from at least two consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture events. The processor is configured to: a) receive information from sensors as to results of each ball drop-and-capture event; b) transmit viewable information to each separate area provided on the video display screen for each consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture event; and c) to compare all ball drop-and-capture events to a preselected number of memorialized ball drop-and-capture outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Joze Pececnik
  • Patent number: 9911082
    Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to identify relevant features in a deep question answering system, by classifying a first case received by the deep question answering system, and, while training the deep question answering system to answer the first case, identifying a first feature in the first case, computing a first feature score for the first feature, the first feature score indicating a relevance of the first feature in generating a correct response to the first case, and, identifying the first feature as relevant in answering the classified first case upon determining that the first feature score exceeds a relevance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SINOEAST CONCEPT LIMITED
    Inventors: Adam T. Clark, Mark G. Megerian, John E. Petri, Richard J. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9901833
    Abstract: A system has a computerized server connected to a network and having a processor, a data repository coupled to the processor, and software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium. The software enables a player operating a computerized appliance connected to the network to log in to a site hosted on the server, the site providing video games and other places to which the player may navigate, enables the player to purchase virtual currency spendable in games the player may enter to play and at other places the player may select to navigate, credits the player with Points in a pre-established ratio to virtual currency spent by the player while logged in to the site, and accounts for points accredited to the player and other players, and displaying on the site Point totals for at least players having the greatest number of Points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Roblox Corporation
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, David Baszucki
  • Patent number: 9881463
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine which does not bore the player through reel actions until completion of rearrangement of symbols. Under the condition where predetermined symbols are aligned on a payline when the symbols of a first scroll line of at least one of a plurality of scroll lines are being scrolled and symbols on the remaining second scroll lines are stopped, the gaming machine changes scrolling motion of symbols of the first scroll line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Kenta Kitamura, Susumu Mio, Hidekazu Suzuki, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 9880797
    Abstract: A software application program that intelligently interfaces with a statistical data recording program, mass data storage devices and programmable electronic display devices to monitor the situational current state of a real-time event or activity such as a sporting contest and to identify, select, compile, organize, prioritize, present and recommend a plurality of relevant data items compiled from a plurality of recorded data sources to provide visual display content for selection by an operator for display on one or more electronic display boards. The intelligent interface software application program enables an operator of a programmable electronic display device instantly to review and select relevant data items corresponding to a given situational current state of a real-time event or activity and transmit selected data items for display on electronic display boards to a viewing party or public.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Thomas Kuck, Jon Curtis Grann, Samuel A. Martens, Casey M. Stout
  • Patent number: 9855503
    Abstract: A system and method for providing secondary gaming for fantasy sports to provide more interactive, robust and comprehensive fantasy sports gaming. A secondary game involves one or more fantasy sports players, one or more statistics to measure fantasy performance of the players, one or more time period in which to evaluate the fantasy player, and a game value amount, which is the consideration contested in the fantasy game. Accordingly, Users may place wagers on the expected performance of fantasy players or teams in a fantasy league regardless of whether the party is a participant in the league. The system may be functionally connected to the league software manager to provide real-time registration, submission, monitoring, and submission of second games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Rishi Nangia
  • Patent number: 9836924
    Abstract: A bonusing system used in a casino environment is described. The bonusing system enables a player to make secondary wagers on a bonus outcome. In one embodiment, the bonusing system can include a bonusing device which is installed at a gaming table at which a card game is played, such as baccarat or black jack. In the card game, the player makes a primary wager on an outcome of a card hand. The bonusing device can be configured to select a bonus card hand from among a subset of card hands associated with the card game and output the selected bonus hand. Based upon one or more of a player's card hand, a dealer's card hand, the bonus card hand or combinations thereof, the bonusing device can determine whether a bonus is to be awarded. The bonus amount awarded can depend on the amount of the secondary wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLED UP GAMING PARTNERS
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Van Asdale, Richard Brian Lopez
  • Patent number: 9832442
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to arbitrate network bandwidth that is shared between multiple video players executing concurrently on one or more client platforms that each have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. An amount of bandwidth available from the data network is determined. An arbitration module calculates whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available, and a modify playback message is sent to at least one video player when the video playback quality is not sustainable. Various implementations could prioritize bandwidth based upon the content presented so that high-bandwidth scenes (e.g., action sequences) receive more bandwidth than more static scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Mark B. Hurst
  • Patent number: 9827488
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automatic user or friend recommendation system that matches players that have compatible play styles, play schedules, or the like. Behavioral data is collected or entered from players, and a profile of each player is created and compared to calculate a compatibility score. If the compatibility score exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the players are marked as compatible, or a degree of compatibility may be calculated and displayed as well. Users can edit their profile, e.g., on a web application or in-game. Users may also interact with optional and incremental demographic survey questions as they log in. A notification of compatible players may be provided via the web application or via an in-game indication. For example, a glow may appear around a compatible player, or compatible players may be displayed in a list, such as an instant messaging client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Pearce
  • Patent number: 9824529
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BGC PARTNERS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Asher, Howard W. Lutnick
  • Patent number: 9818254
    Abstract: In various embodiments, promotions are featured on mobile gaming devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Kevin Burman, Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Antonio Papageorgiou, Joseph M. Asher
  • Patent number: 9808714
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the implementation of a gaming environment including gaming servers for instantiating instances of games requested by a user. The gaming environment includes a game device for obtaining game inputs corresponding to the instantiated game. Additionally, the gaming environment includes one or more output devices for obtaining outputs generated by the processing of the inputs by the gaming server. Illustratively, the game device and one or more output devices form game device groups. Within each game device group, the inputs obtained by game device are transmitted independent of the outputs transmitted to the output devices. The transmission of input data from the game device and the transmission of the output audio data, output video data or other data from the gaming server may be individually optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ELBO INC.
    Inventor: Peter Anthony Walker
  • Patent number: 9773384
    Abstract: A method in a gaming system includes receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. The array positions are populated by symbols located on symbol-bearing reels, including an oversized symbol occupying a plurality of reel-symbol positions on one of the reels and having an image extending over those reel-symbol positions. The method also includes determining whether the oversized symbol will be only partially displayed in the array based on a rest location determined for the oversized symbol. If the oversized symbol will be only partially displayed in the array, the image of the oversized symbol is graphically reconfigured. The method includes spinning and stopping the reels to place the symbols in the determined rest locations. The first portion of the oversized symbol is displayed in the array with the graphically reconfigured image. The method also includes awarding a payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry L. Nauman
  • Patent number: 9773368
    Abstract: To provide a gaming machine which holds a player's attention until symbols are rearranged by reel actions. The operation of the scroll of symbols of a first scroll line is changed under a condition that predetermined symbols are arranged on a pay line in a state where symbols of at least one first scroll line among a plurality of scroll lines are scrolled and symbols of remaining second scroll lines are stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Hirato, Motomichi Sato, Kenta Kitamura, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 9773383
    Abstract: There is described a method of determining jackpots comprising the steps of: determining a total jackpot amount; determining whether the total jackpot amount is at least equal to a threshold, the threshold being equal to a maximum jackpot amount plus an excess jackpot amount; when the total jackpot amount is at least equal to the threshold, setting a main jackpot at the maximum jackpot amount, the main jackpot associated with a main draw; and determining a number of additional draws and corresponding additional jackpots, each to be won using a same player selection as for the main jackpot, using the excess jackpot amount, the corresponding additional jackpots being awarded independently of an allocation of the main jackpot, wherein at least one of the steps is performed by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: INTERPROVINCIAL LOTTERY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Elizabeth Knebli